Comelec: No mall registration for polls

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not inclined to resume mall registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, which is likely to be moved to 2017.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said yesterday, it is not practical to do mall registration when they revive the voter’s registration period, which will run from Oct. 3 to April 29.

“In the barangay elections, it is not necessary. First because the number of voters that we are expecting is not that much and the period for registration is long,” he said in an interview.

Bautista noted they are looking at having mall registration for the mid-term elections in 2019.

But to reach out to all qualified voters who are not yet registered, the Comelec will put up satellite registration at the barangay level on specific dates, primarily in far-flung areas.

“What will happen is our election officers (EOs) will go to the barangay to conduct the voters’ registration.  They will encourage all qualified voters to register so they exercise their right to vote in 2019,” he added.

The poll chief, however, said the Comelec will not oppose any EOs who may want to hold mall registration. 

“They have the discretion. They can decide on that.  But what is important for us is the voters, what is good for them,” Bautista added.

Bautista proposed mall registration for the May 2016 polls but most of the commissioners blocked the plan.