Voter registration to resume on January 20

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos eyeing to vote in the May 2022 presidential polls may sign up as voters starting Jan. 20 when the Commission on Elections (Comelec) resumes voter registration.

The period is set in Comelec Resolution 10635 from Jan. 20, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021. 

“The Commission has decided to commence the registration of voters this month, instead of on July 6, 2020, in view of the postponement of the May 11, 2020 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections pursuant to Republic Act 8189,” Comelec said. 

Aside from registering voters, the Comelec will also be accepting applications for transfer of registration records, change or correction of entries in the registration record, reactivation of registration record and reinstatement of name in the list of voters.

Persons with disabilities, senior citizens as well as members of indigenous peoples or indigenous cultural communities and other members of vulnerable sectors may also update their records.

“Those who will be at least 18 years of age on or before election day, or on May 9, 2022, who is a resident in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place where he or she intends to vote for at least six months on or before election day, may register,” the Comelec said.

There will be no registration on April 9 and 10 in observance of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and on Dec. 25, Christmas Day. For next year, voter registration will not be available on April 1 and 2, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

In Palawan, only residents of Puerto Princesa City will be able to register as voters starting Jan. 20 to give way to the conduct of a plebiscite on the division of Palawan into three provinces on May 11.