Comelec: High turnout on 1st day of voter registration

MANILA, Philippines — A significant number of registrants was recorded on the first day of  the resumption of voter registration on Monday, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Maganda ang bilang ng mga aplikante na nagparehistro… Ito ay nakita sa mga lungsod na mataas ang bilang ng populasyon,” Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said.

He did not provide a specific number of early registrants.

The voter registration, which is in preparation for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October 2023, will run until Jan. 31, 2023. There will be no voter registration on Dec. 24 and 25 and Dec. 31 and on Jan. 1, 2023.

Laudiangco said he sees the excitement coming from those who wish to participate in the SK elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia urged the public to register early and avoid the inconvenience of waiting in line at local Comelec  offices or satellite registration centers.

He said the number of registrants is expected to peak in the second or third week, which coincides with the Christmas break.

Garcia said field offices are ready to handle the expected influx of registrants during the last days of the voter registration.

The poll body said it would accept applications for registration, transfer, change or correction of records, reactivation of registration records, inclusion and reinstatement of name on the voters’ list for deactivated or delisted individuals.