Comelec: Low voter registration turnout

MANILA, Philippines — Citing the low voter registration turnout, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is appealing to the public to register through its regular registration and Register Anywhere Project.

Comelec records showed that only 150,817 people have filed their applications since the voter registration resumed on Dec. 12.

At least 19,336 of the registrants are aged 15 to 17; 35,011 are aged 18 to 30, and 11,098 aged 31 and above.

The Comelec is eyeing up to 1.3 million new voters.

The low number of registrants may be because many are busy preparing for the holiday season, Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco told reporters in a Viber message.

“Araw-araw kaming mananawagan na sana po, mabigyan nila ng pansin at oras ang pagpaparehistro at samantalahin ang pagkakataon,” Laudiangco said. 

He urged the public to take advantage of the registration even while many are currently on vacation mode.

Laudiangco said the holiday break is the best time to register, noting that an influx of registrants is expected beginning January.

The voter registration, which is in preparation for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October 2023, will end on Jan. 31, 2023.

There will be no voter registration on Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1. 

“Muli po, ang panawagan namin ni Chairman (George) Garcia at ng lahat ng tanggapan ng Comelec sa buong bansa, magparehistro nang maaga para makaiwas sa abala,” Laudiangco said.