Comelec ready for resumption of voter registration on July 4 to 23, 2022

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday said it is ready for the resumption of voter registration starting Monday, July 4.

"Ang pagpapatuloy ng voters registration ay magsisimula bukas, July 4, 2022 hanggang July 23, 2022... Lunes-Sabado, mula 8:00 a.m. hanggang 5:00 p.m.," Comelec spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(The resumption of voters registration will start tomorrow, July 4, 2022, until July 23, 2022. It will be from Monday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

The registration will run until Saturday, July 23, for all types of applications done in-person.

Voter applicants may go to the Office of the Election Officer in their respective district or city or municipality during the said period from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. including holidays, the Comelec said.

Laudiangco said the Comelec is targeting new voters for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls to register during the registration period.

"Ang target sa voters registration ay 'yung mga bagong botante para sa Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)... Ito 'yung mga magiging 15 years o 15 years old  to 17 years old... Kung hindi pa 15 pero magfi-15 [years old] by December 5, 2022, pwede nang magparehistro," he said.

(The target for voters registration are the new voters for the SK. These are those who will turn 15 years, or are already 15 to 17 years old. Those who are not yet 15 years old but will turn 15 by December 5 can already register.)

Meanwhile, those who are qualified to apply to vote for the regular elections including barangay elections are those who will be 18 years old by December 5, the Comelec spokesperson said.

"Para naman sa ating regular registration kasama na 'yung sa barangay dito, 'yung mag-e-18 years old on or before December 5," he said.

(For our regular registration including the barangay [election], those [qualified to register] are those who will turn 18 years old on or before December 5.)

The barangay and SK elections will be held on December 5, 2022.

Voter applicants (for both SK and regular) have to be residents of the barangay where they propose to vote for at least six months prior to December 5, 2022, the Comelec said.

For regular voter applicants, they also have to be residents of the Philippines for at least a year, it added.

Laudiangco said those who can vote for the SK polls are those aged 15 to 30 years old, while those who can vote for the barangay elections are those aged 18 years old and above. 

"Ang boboto sa SK sa December 5, 2022 ay 'yung 15 to 30 years old; Sa regular barangay election, 18 and above... 'Yung 18 to 30 years old, dalawang balota ang sasagutan nila dahil saklaw sila ng Barangay at SK elections," he said.

(Those who will vote for SK on December 5, 2022 are those aged 15 to 30 years old. For the regular barangay election, those aged 18 and above [may vote]. Voters aged 18 to 30 years old need to fill out two ballots for the barangay and SK elections.)

"Nakasaad sa batas na kailangan isagawa ang Barangay at SK elections sa December 5... Hangga't walang batas para 'wag itong ituloy, tuloy ang paghahanda ng Comelec," Laudiangco added.

(The law states that the barangay and SK elections have to be held on December 5. Until there is no law yet calling for the postponement, the Comelec will continue its preparations for the said elections.)

Reactivation of voter records

Meanwhile, voters who were taken off the voters list may apply online for the reactivation of their records, the Comelec said.

The online application for reactivation will be from July 4 to 19.

Voters will have to send an email to the official email address of the Office of the Election Officer in their locality.

However, this does not apply to voters who will reactivate their records and transfer locality at the same time.

Online applications will be accepted only for the following, the Comelec said:

a. Reactivation;
b. Reactivation with Correction of Entries;
c. Reactivation with Transfer Within the Same City/Municipality/District;
d. Reactivation with Transfer Within and Correction of Entries;
e. Reactivation with Updating of Records of Senior Citizen and Person with Disabilities.

Don't wait for deadline

Laudiangco appealed to voter applicants to register early and not wait for the deadline.

"Dahil po maikli lang ang panahon ng pagrehistro para makatupad ang COMELEC sa mga batas at alituntunin ng halalan, hinihiling namin na huwag ng hintayin ang mga huling araw ng pagpapatala para makaseguro ang pagrehistro," he said in a message sent to reporters.

(Since the period of voter registration is just short to ensure that Comelec follows the law and election guidelines, we are appealing to the public not to wait for the last few days to register.)

Laudiangco said voter applicants should prepare their application forms and requirements beforehand.

"Upang makaiwas sa abala, ihanda at punan na ng wasto ang application forms at ihanda na ang proofs of identity bago pa man pumunta sa aming mga tanggapan. Hanggat maaari, magdala ng sariling ballpen at alcohol. Ang application forms ay ipinamamahagi ng libre sa aming mga tanggapan, o idownload at iprint mula sa aming website, www.comelec.gov.ph," he said.

(To avoid inconvenience, fill out the application forms and make ready the proofs of identity before going to our offices. As much as possible, bring your own ballpen and alcohol. The application forms are given out free at our offices or may be downloaded and printed from our website.)

The Comelec said the following proofs of identity will be accepted:

1. PhilSys National ID
2. Employee’s ID with Employer’s Signature
3. Postal ID
4. PWD ID
5. Student’s ID or Library Card signed by school authority
6. Senior Citizen’s ID
7. Driver’s License
8. NBI Clearance
9. Passport
10. SSS/GSIS ID
11. IBP ID
12. License issued by the PRC
13. Certificate of Confirmation issued by the NCIP for members of ICCs or IPs
14. Barangay Identification or Certification (with photo)
15. Any other valid ID or proof of identification

Meanwhile, below are the types of voter applications to be accepted during the registration period:

1. Registration
2. Transfer of Registration Records
3. Reactivation of Registration Records (may be applied for online be sending the duly accomplished application form with proof of identity via the official email  address of the OEO from July 4-19, 2022)
4. Change/Correction of Entries in Registration Records
5. Inclusion and Reinstatement in the Voter’s List
6. Transfer of Registration Records from Overseas Post to Local

The Comelec also reminded voter applicants to follow health protocols during the registration period.

"Panatilihin ang pagsusuot ng face mask, paghuhugas ng kamay o pag sanitize, at siguruhin ang tamang physical distancing at maayos na pagpila," it said.

(Observe the wearing of face mask, handwashing or sanitizing, and ensure physical distancing and orderly queues are followed.)

"Kung kayo ay may nararamdamang sintomas na related na Covid 19, nakikiusap kami na ipagpaliban muna ang pag punta sa aming tanggapan hanggat hindi pa pinahihintulutan ng doktor o kinauukulan," the Comelec said.

(If you have symptoms related to COVID-19, we are appealing that you postpone going to our office until you have been given clearance by your doctor or authorities.) —KG, GMA News