It is only a few days before the resumption of this year’s voting registration activities continues. With that in mind, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reminded the public to follow the voter’s registration guidelines.
Some of the voter’s registration guidelines can be read below:
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- Must be a Filipino citizen
- Must be a Philippine resident for at least one year
- At least 18 years old on or before Election Day.
- A resident for at least 6 months of the district where the registrant intends to vote
- Along with the voter’s registration guidelines are the requirements:
- One (1) valid ID with the applicant’s photo, name, and address
- Three (3) filled out printed copies of the application form for registration (AFR)
Places of registration are the local COMELEC offices or the Offices of the Election Officer (OEO) located in every district, city, or municipality.
COMELEC Offices
Meanwhile, the application process is held at the local COMELEC offices. Satellite registration sites are also available in some residential areas. Registrants may also visit COMELEC’s Field Directory to locate the site assigned to their district, city, or municipality.
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Do note however that anyone who has not yet turned 18 or reached the required period of residence on the day of registration but has the qualifications on or before the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, may register as a voter but their applications will only be processed on May 10, 2021.
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 May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, may register as a voter. However, the reception of their applications shall commence only on May 10, 2021 (at least one year prior to election day).”
Resumption of Voting Registration Activities
Even with the multiple suspensions of activities due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the registration activities are expected to resume next month in July.
COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez said it himself that activities will continue next month after following through with the decision on April 25th to extend the suspension of voting registration as well as all activities surrounding it until June 30 due to the extension of the enhanced community quarantine.
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Mag-resume ang #VoterReg2020 sa July 1. #MagparehistroKa.”
In Translation: The Voter Registration resumes on the 1stof July; make sure to register.
COMELEC Executive Director Bartolome J. Sinocruz, Jr. has previously stated that the decision to extend the suspension was due to the implementation of ECQ up to May 15 in certain areas across the country.
The extension was approved in light of the extension of the implementation of the ECQ until May 15 in select areas in the country.”
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Health is the Number One Priority
He continued by saying it would not be wise to conduct the registration activities while necessary health measures are put into place.
The conduct of voter registration is not yet advisable since there will be restrictions on the movement of people and on certain activities. The period from May 1 to June 30 will give the Commission time to put in place anti-COVID-19 measures in relation to the conduct of the registration of voters once it resumes.”
Third Suspension of the System and the Advancement of Health Measures
All cities and municipalities nationwide as early as March 9 have been instructed to suspend voter registration until March 31. Three (3) days after, on March 27, the poll body decided to reschedule the lifting of the suspension from March 31 to April 30. The COMELEC also declared the implementation of the “No Face-to-Face Transactions” policy among all its offices with the phased resumption of its operations starting June 1.
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The poll body stated the institution of the “No Face-to-Face Transactions” policy across all its offices is to ensure public safety. Public transactions will, therefore, be carried out by letter, email, or fax only.
In order to ensure the safety of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, the offices of the COMELEC nationwide will be instituting a ‘No Face-to-Face Transactions’ policy.”
As a result, to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission, only skeletal workforces will continue operating throughout their offices, meaning to say that teleworking or work-from-home setups will be implemented for at-risk employees.
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The COMELEC likewise reminded their employees to always wear a face mask, practice handwashing and hand hygiene frequently, and observe social distancing.
Let us wait for further announcement but as of now, these are the voter’s registration guidelines set by the COMELEC!