Voter registration ends Jan. 31; 1.5M sign up so far

LORENZO Desiderio knows the power of his vote. This is why the 23-year-old made sure he would get to participate in the next election. 

“Nagparehistro na ako kasi nakita ko kung gaano kahalaga yung bawat boto ng mga Pilipino para magluklok ng mga public servants na makakapagbago sa nagpapahirap na sistema ng Pilipinas ngayon,” Desiderio told republicasia when asked what pushed him to apply for voter registration. 

He is among the 1.5 million Filipinos who recently submitted their applications to vote at the Commission on Election on January 26.

Comelec reopened its doors for applications for new voters on December 12. It will end on January 31. 

The Comelec said it has recorded a total of 1,538,480 received applications as of Thursday.

According to Comelec, the application modes can be categorized in two — the regular registration and the Register Anywhere Project which commenced on December 17.

The commission has logged 1,530,317 regular registrations from December 12 to January 21, and 8,163 applications from RAP. 

Voter registrants lining up in one of Comelec’s satellite registration sites in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. | Photo courtesy: Lorenzo Desiderio

Registrant profile

There are different types of applications that Comelec has received over the previous weeks, including new registrations, transfer of registrations, reactivations, correction of entries, and change of names, to list a few.

A running total of 926,471 applications for new registrations were submitted, with 442,330 from this population belonging to the 15-17 age bracket while some 397,323, were from those in the 18 to 30 years old bracket.

At least 86,818 individuals aged 31 and above also applied for new voter registration.

No deadline extension

While Filipino non-voters were flocking to various registration sites, Comelec remained firm that there will be no extensions for the voter registration deadline.

“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,” the election commission wrote in a press release.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia also urged all qualified Filipinos to register and exercise their right to vote in the forthcoming elections.

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

A young Filipino lines up at Comelec’s RAP to submit his application for new voter registration. | Photo courtesy: Comelec

Jail time for multiple registrations

Garcia also warned voters not to intentionally register for voter application more than once to avoid possible criminal charges with a one to six years imprisonment.

While unscrupulous registrants may use the multiple registration sites to exploit the opportunity for inappropriate use, the Comelec assured the public that it is equipped with necessary systems and laws to identify and prosecute anyone who commits the violation.

Once an individual has been proven to have registered multiple times for the voter application, Garcia said the Comelec will remove the registration and file cases against the individual.

“‘Pag napatunayan namin, patatanggal namin ‘yung registration, at the same time pwede pong maharap sa kasong election offense,” the poll chief said. 

Banner courtesy: Comelec