Comelec: First day of voter registration resumption smooth so far

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 12) — The first day of the resumption of voter registration in the Philippines is going smooth so far, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.

“I just came from Valenzuela City and the registration processes there are very smooth. In fact, we already have a success story. One of our kababayan is going abroad, her flight is at 2 p.m. She was able to register in less than 10 minutes,” Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

What helped fast track the process is the reduction of the copies of the application form to be submitted from three to one, he said. Making the form downloadable online also eased the process since people can fill it out prior to heading to the registration site, he added.

The Comelec just reopened voter registration, which will run until Jan. 31, 2023, as the country gears up for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

To make the registration more accessible, Comelec will also pilot test the Register Anywhere Project in five selected malls in Metro Manila from Dec. 17 until Jan. 22, 2023. Simultaneously, a pilot test will also be conducted in Robinsons Mall Naga City, Robinsons Mall Tacloban, and SM City Legazpi, Laudiangco said. 

Additional sites will also be at the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Government Service Insurance System main office, he added.

Comelec expects a minimum of 2 million additional voters with the resumption of registration for the BSKE.