Comelec launches walkathon for voters’ registration

MANILA, Philippines - To drum up interest for the resumption of voter’s registration on May 6, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold a walkathon from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Sorsogon in Bicol.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said they thought of the activity to entice voters to register so they could vote in the 2016 elections.

Jimenez, who will lead the walkathon from end to end, said there are some 9.6 million voters in danger of being delisted for not having their biometrics data with the Comelec.

He said the activity, dubbed “Walkah Walkah,” aims to “inform, engage and educate voters so that they can get the maximum benefits” from the upcoming registration.

“Our urgent call is for voters who still do not have biometrics to validate their registration. Many of them have been voting regularly and it would be painful if they will not be able to vote in 2016 just because they do not have biometrics.”

Jimenez will lead a team from the Comelec that will walk from Laoag City to Manila from May 6 to June 1. By June 15, the group will walk from Rizal Park, Manila up to Sorsogon. 

He welcomed groups or individuals who might want to join the event.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes has cancelled his trip to Rome where he was supposed to lead voter’s registration training for overseas Filipinos on May 6 to join the walkathon.