SK voters automatically included in voter list

MANILA, Philippines — Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voters can participate in the 2022 general elections without the need to register again.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered their automatic inclusion in the voters’ list.

The move is meant to simplify the registration process among youth voters, according to the Comelec.

“It is the policy of the commission to adopt a simplified registration for SK voters turning 18 years old by not requiring them to register anew as regular voters,” the Comelec said.

Qualified to register as regular voters are those aged 18 and above.

The automatic inclusion of SK voters in the voter list will help prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 in local election offices, the Comelec said.

There were 20,626,220 voters in the 2018 SK polls.

Starting today, the Comelec will also start implementing new registration schedules for local and overseas voters.

Local Comelec offices are open for registration from Tuesday to Saturday, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Comelec offices are closed on Monday for disinfection.

The poll body adopted a new schedule of voter registration to encourage more people to register for next year’s elections.

Sonia Bea Lozada, director of the Comelec Office of Overseas Voting, said applications for overseas voting may be filed from Monday to Friday, except holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.