More voters expected to beat last day of registration

MANILA, Philippines - More people are expected to descend on election offices and select malls nationwide today to beat the deadline on voter’s registration and validation of biometrics records.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez however said the poll body is not inclined to extend the deadline to accommodate the huge number of people.

“There is no plan yet to extend. Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista will announce if there will be an extension based on what we see in the field,” Jimenez said.

He said many people are still coming to the Comelec offices as of yesterday although they started the registration and validation process over a year ago.

“Many are still registering. People keep coming but our election officers can handle it,” he said.

Jimenez said some election officers even extended their working hours to accommodate the throngs who want to register and be able to vote in next year’s elections.

Last Thursday, Jimenez said, election offices in Quezon City stayed open until 10 p.m.

According to Jimenez, voters cannot blame the Comelec for the long lines at different registration centers.