Comelec sees more registrants in 2021

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Naga City chief, lawyer Maico Julia, Jr., said that they are expecting more or less 10,000 new registrants in 2021 who will join the electorate in voting for the new set of the country’s elective officials during the 2022 national elections.

Julia said that as of October 2020, Comelec Naga has recorded a total of 99,046 registered voters.

As of the same period, there was a total of 365 new registrations; 194 voters transferred their registrations from other municipalities/cities; 10 voters transferred with reactivation; 7 voters transferred their registration with reactivation and correction of entries; 35 voters reactivated their registrations; and 20 with records of reactivation and with correction of entries, Julia added.

He said removed from the list of voters were 63 registrants who transferred to another cities or municipalities; 14 registrants whose registrations were cancelled by reason of death; and 55 registrants who abated due to Automated Fingerprint System or AFIS.

This brings the current number of registered voters in Naga City to 99,545.

Julia said that Comelec, as the country’s premier guardian of the ballot, has the principal role to enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referendums and recalls.

Julia called on everyone to register so that they can participate in the upcoming national and local election in 2022.

“Voter registration is a requirement for any qualified Filipino citizen who wishes to vote in any Philippine election,” he said.

“They have to remember that casting their votes, is also one of their responsibilities. The law does not require citizens to vote, but voting is a very important part of any democracy. By voting, citizens are participating in the democratic process. Citizens vote for leaders to represent them. Their chosen leaders support the very interest they want to protect,” Julia added.

Julia said that he is hopeful that those who are still undecided, can make up their minds before September 30, 2021, which is the last day of the registration.

An average of 1,000 registrants go to COMELEC Naga every month, either to register, renew, update or validate their records.

Voter’s registration is conducted Mondays to Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays are dedicated for disinfection of the Comelec office, unless the concerned local government unit assigns a different day for it.

With Covid-19 still a threat to the registrants, Julia said that Comelec Naga will strictly enforce all the necessary precautions, including adherence to the basic health protocols, like wearing of face mask, face shield and social distancing. Crowding or gathering of groups is discouraged.

The window transaction is still implemented at the Comelec office for the safety of their clients and also of Comelec employees. With reports from BRivera-PIAV/Camarines Sur)