Voter registration for barangay, SK elections ends today

CEBU, Philippines —  An influx of registrants is expected today being the last day of voter registration for this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

In Cebu City, those who have not yet registered but are now eligible to vote may head to Robinsons Galleria from 9 am to 5 pm as announced by COMELEC north and south district offices.

A few days leading to the final day of registration, there has been a good number of youngsters that came to register and more are expected today.

Any Filipino citizen who has not yet registered may apply for registration provided that he or she is at least 18 years old on or before the barangay election and a resident of the Philippines for at least a year and in the place one proposes to vote for at least six months immediately preceding to the Barangay and SK Elections.

For SK elections, one should be at least 15 years only but not more than 30 and residing in the barangay for at least six months on or before the SK elections as well.

One only needs to bring a valid ID to register.

COMELEC, however, reminded everyone that a community tax certificate and PNP clearance will not be honored as valid identification documents for the purpose of registration.

The voter registration for the upcoming barangay and SK elections started last December 12 and will end today with COMELEC not keen on extending it.

In Cebu City, voters’ registration took place at COMELEC’s election offices, SM Seaside, City Jail, SM City Cebu before the final week at Robinson’s Galleria.

Everyone, however, had been warned by COMELEC chairman George Erwin Garcia that qualified voters who intentionally register more than once will face possible penalty of one to six years of imprisonment.

The COMELEC has tried to reach out to as many qualified voters to register for the upcoming elections not only in their field offices, but even in malls and other government officers.However, there had been reports of “unscrupulous registrants” who try to exploit opportunity for inappropriate use.

In view of the last day of registration, COMELEC’s central office also issued an advisory to suspend the issuance of voter’s certification today.

The advisory from COMELEC’s spokesperson, lawyer John Rex Laudiangco, yesterday said the issuance of voter’s certification will be suspended in all offices of Election Officers nationwide.

Issuances of voter’s certification in all election offices resumes on February 1, 2023. – JMD (FREEMAN)