Polling precincts in 122 towns, cities to be re-clustered

MANILA, Philippines -  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the re-clustering of polling precincts in 122 towns and cities nationwide due to the limited number of registered voters.  

The poll body said it had to resort to re-clustering or re-grouping of polling precincts in these areas in 45 provinces in the May polls to save on election cost.

“In order to maximize the utilization of the commission’s logistical, financial and manpower resources in the forthcoming May 13 elections, it is imperative to resort to a different clustering scheme,” the Comelec said in a resolution.

Among the affected provinces are Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Antique, Apayao, Basilan, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cebu, Davao del Sur, Eastern Samar, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, and Laguna.

The other provinces are Lanao del Sur, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Northern Samar, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar (Western Samar), Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.

Under Comelec rules, the clustering shall only be a maximum of seven precincts in similar voting centers and shall not have more than 1,000 registered voters.

Comelec said election officers shall give written notices of the change in the location of the voting centers to the affected registered voters and authorized representatives of political parties.

Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said the poll body also opted to extend until April 2 the application for local absentee voters.

Brillantes said the period of application for government employees, including those from the military and the national police, expired last March 15.

The application period for members of the media covering the elections and who wish to vote earlier is set to expire on March 31.