Comelec prepares for voters’ registration in July

The resumption of the voter's registration from July 4 to 23 for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will include other transactions like transfer, change/corrections of entries, and reactivation, according to a report by Philippine News Agency.

Based on Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 10798, the transactions to be entertained are updating of records, transfer, change/corrections of entries, reactivation or reinstatement, and inclusion of registration records.

Persons with disabilities, senior citizens, members of Indigenous Peoples' or Indigenous Cultural Communities, and other members of vulnerable sectors must also be accommodated.

Applications must be personally filed at the Office of the Election Officer in the city or municipality where the applicant resides from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays.

A voter should be at least 18 years old on or before the December 5 barangay elections, resident of the Philippines for at least one year in the voting place or at least six months immediately preceding the polls, and not otherwise disqualified by law.

“Any person who has not reached the required voting age or period of residence on the day of registration but will possess such qualifications on or before the December 5, 2022 barangay elections may register as a voter,” read the resolution dated June 22.

SK voters must be at least 15 years old but not more than 30, residing in the village for at least six months on or before December 5, and not otherwise disqualified by law.

Registered voters as of the May 9 elections shall be included in the Sangguniang Kabataan System database provided that they are not beyond 30 years old on or before December 5, the Comelec sai

Applicants should bring identification documents with photograph and signature, which may be the national ID under the Philippine Identification System; employee's ID with the signature of the employer or authorized representative; postal ID; PWD ID; student's ID or library card signed by the school authority; senior citizen's ID; and driver's license.

Also accepted are the National Bureau of Investigation clearance; passport; ID cards issued by the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, or Integrated Bar of the Philippines; Professional Regulatory Commission license; Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; barangay identification/certification with photo; and any other valid ID cards.

“In the absence of any of the above-mentioned identification documents, the applicant may be identified under oath by any registered voter of the precinct where he/she intends to be registered, or by any of his/her relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity,” the Comelec said. “No registered voter or relative shall be allowed to identify more than three applicants.”

Acting poll body spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in an interview on Thursday that under Republic Act 8189 (Continuing Voter’s Registration Act), registration is prohibited within 120 days prior to elections.

“Roughly starting August 7, it’s already prohibited,” he said.