NO extension.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded the public that the deadline for registration of voters for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang Elections will be on Tuesday, January 31.

Barangay and SK elections will be held simultaneously on October 2023.

For SK elections, those age 15-30 years old and resident of the barangay may register and vote.

Barangay elections voters should be age 18 years old and above.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said registration of voters — whether first time, for reactivation or for transfer of voting precinct — can now be done anywhere in select areas and dates.

Comelec pilot tested the Register Anywhere Project (RAP) for this barangay and SK elections.

Aside from the COMELEC field offices, several sites have been set up in malls and government offices where voters can register.

Garcia said they will also pilot test mall voting in the upcoming barangay elections.

Warning for double registrants

Comelec said it has reached its target of 1.5 million voter registrants.

But Garcia confirmed the poll body has caught a number of qualified voters who registered more than once in this recent voter registration period.

“With numerous registration sites available, it is to the poll body’s knowledge that unscrupulous registrants will try to exploit the said opportunity for inappropriate use,” the Comelec said in a statement.

1-6 yrs prison terms for double registration

“Meron po kaming AFIS, ‘yun pong Automated Fingerprint Identification System na ikina-countercheck po namin kung ang isang botante ay registered na before or multiple registrant ba ‘yan… ‘pag napatunayan namin, patatanggal namin ‘yung registration, at the same time pwede pong maharap ng kasong election offense,” Garcia said.

Violators caught intentionally registering twice or more may face one- to six-year imprisonment.

He said COMELEC will soon start filing cases against those who were already caught having registered more than once. The process on which this action would be undertaken is currently being finalized at the En Banc level.

No extension

The continuing registration for the voters of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections will not be extended and is scheduled to end on January 31, 2023.

Chairman Garcia is inviting all qualified Filipinos to register now and exercise their right to vote in the next elections.

“Sana po dayuhin n’yo na, puntahan n’yo na ang aming registration sites sa opisina ng COMELEC. Sa mga malls meron din po tayong satellite registration, at sa Registration Anywhere Project sites natin, pwede rin po kayong magparehistro,” the poll chief said.

How to register

Applicant must be a resident of the Philippine for at least one year, and at least six months at the city/municipality or district where he/ she is intending to vote.

Voter applicant must bring at least one valid ID with photocopy:

• National ID under PhilSys
• Employer’s identification card, with the signature of the emplouyer or authorized representatives
• postal ID
• national PWD ID card
• student’s ID or library card signed by the school authoirity
• senior citizen’s ID
• driver’s license
• NBI clearance
• passport
• SSS/GSIS ID
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
• license issued by the Professional Regulatory CDommission (PRC)
• Certificate of Confirmation issued by the Naitonal Commission on INdigenous Peoples (NCIP) in as eo fmember sof ICCS or IPs