House panel adopts reso seeking extension of voter registration to October 31

The House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms on Thursday adopted two resolutions urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to extend voter registration to October 31 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a committee  hearing, the panel adopted House Resolutions 2128 and 2139, seeking to extend the deadline to October 31 from the previous September 30 to deter massive voter disenfranchisement.

“The September 30 deadline was set before the COVID-19 pandemic and it now falls upon the Comelec’s prerogative to adjust the deadline due to the ramifications of the pandemic,” the HR2128 read.

Lawmakers said that the lockdowns amid the pandemic threaten to disenfranchise an estimated 13.1 million voters.

According to Rod Vega’s report on Super Radyo dzBB, Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas said the Commission will look into the possible extension.

Abas, however, said voter registration must be suspended from October 1 to October 15 to give way for the filing of candidacy for the upcoming elections.

Panukalang palawigin pa ang voters registration hanggang October 31, 2021, pag-aaralan ng @COMELEC. | via @Rodveg72 pic.twitter.com/u2ZiKyhHd7

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 2, 2021

Comelec has previously rejected calls to extend the deadline.

Despite this, it has approved the conduct of voter registration in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine starting September 6.

As of August 27, Comelec said the number of registered voters for the May 2022 polls has already surpassed 60 million.—AOL, GMA News