Comelec to hear objections to village, SK poll participants

MANILA, Philippines — Any objection to pending applications to participate in the coming October 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will have to be filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The Comelec announced it would accept until Feb. 27 the opposition against any of the applications filed for voter registration. It added that an application for registration will not be automatically approved and shall undergo a hearing.

It noted that under the Voter’s Registration Act all applications for voter registration should be heard, processed and approved by the Election Registration Boards (ERBs).

The last day for the ERB to post the notice of hearings is on Feb. 20.

A total of 2,506,321 applications were filed during the last voter registration period held from Dec. 12, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023.

Applications include those for new registrants, transfer from other city/municipality, transfer within the same city/municipality, reactivation, correction of entries, and transfer from being an overseas voter.

The ERBs shall post notices of approved and disapproved applications on the bulletin boards of the Offices of Election Officers and city/municipal hall, stating the names and addresses of the applicants, the dates of applications and the actions taken.

The election officers shall also serve a copy of the notices either personally or by registered mail or special delivery, to the local heads or representatives of citizens’ arms or any registered political parties existing in the city/municipality/district.

The Comelec will come out with the list of registered voters five days after the ERBs hold their respective hearings set on March 6.

All ERBs are expected to post the approved and disapproved list before March 11.