Comelec to distribute voter’s IDs to evacuees

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is prepared to release the voter’s identification cards (IDs) of displaced residents of Marawi City, an official said yesterday.

According to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, the commission had completed the preparation for the distribution of voter’s IDs. 

“As of (yesterday), our field offices are ready to issue these voter certifications. However, we haven’t received reports yet on the number of requests for certification and the number of certifications issued,” he noted.

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon had announced that the poll body would be issuing temporary IDs among the registered voters in Marawi City to help authorities identify them.

She added in times of evacuation due to armed conflict, “it is very helpful if the residents will have a government ID.”

Guanzon said the IDs would be distributed by the Comelec at the evacuation centers. 

She added Comelec personnel would be able to identify the owners of the IDs because they have pictures and “personal information that only the voter can provide.”