Comelec to start voters’ registration for 2022 polls

NAGA CITY --- The Commission on Elections ( Comelec) is gearing up for the resumption of registration of voters that will go on for almost two years starting Jan. 20 this year until Sept. 10, 2021.

This, after President Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11462 on Dec. 3, 2019, which postponed the May 11, 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to Dec. 5, 2022.

Lawyer Maico Julia Jr., Comelec election officer here said that there is a need to begin the planned registration of voters in compliance with the mandate of RA 8189 or the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996.

A provision in Comelec Resolution No. 10635 stated that there is a need to clarify the payment of Election Registration Board (ERB) members’ honorarium during the conduct of verification and certification of the Election Day Computerized Voters Lists and posted Computerized Voters Lists for posting purposes 90 days before the elections.

The resolution, promulgated on January 10, 2020, sets the filing of applications for registration at the office of the election officer during office hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Mondays to Saturdays including holidays.

It said that reception of applicants shall be from Jan. 20, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021 except April 9 and 10, 2020 (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday); Dec. 25, 2020 (Christmas Day); April 1 and 2, 2021 (Maundy and Good Friday).

Julia said that any Filipino citizen who is not yet a registered voter may apply for registration provided that the applicant possesses the following qualifications: at least 18 years of age on or before the May 9, 2022 national and local elections; a resident of the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherein he/she proposes to vote, for at least 6 months immediately preceding the May 9, 2022 national and local elections, and; not otherwise disqualified by law.

He said that any person, who has not reached the required voting age or period of residence on the day of registration but will possess such qualifications on or before May 9, 2022 elections may register as voter.

As of press time, Comelec-Naga has been preparing the list of barangays where the satellite registration will be conducted.