The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Eastern Visayas has asked voters on Thursday to take advantage of the extended registration deadline.
Comelec Eastern Visayas assistant regional director Felicisimo Embalsado asked voters to register early and not wait for the Oct. 30, 2021 deadline.
“The extension of the deadline from September 30 to October 30 is very welcome to us because we want everyone qualified to be registered for them to exercise their right to vote,” Embalsado told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The poll body on Wednesday approved the extension of voter registration for more than two weeks from October 11 to 30.
Embalsado said in a phone interview the extended voter registration would be held from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For this period, all services will be offered such as reactivation and registration for new voters and reactivation.
From Jan. 1 to Sept. 18, 2021, a total of 262,551 applications have been received by Comelec offices in Eastern Visayas.
These applications are still subject to the Election Registration Board (ERB) hearing.
In Tacloban City alone, an average of 150 to 200 registrants are being accommodated daily since the start of September, above the daily average of 100 voters.
Aside from enlisting new voters, the Comelec also handles the transfer of voter records to another area; transfer of voter records within the same city or municipality; reactivation of voter records; change of name or correction of entries; a combination of transfer, reactivation, or correction of record; inclusion of record in the book of voters; reinstatement of name in the list of voters; and transfer of voter record from the overseas absentee voting list.
Meanwhile, the filing of the certificates of candidacy will run from October 1 to 8, 2021 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., including Saturday and Sunday.
“Since the Comelec requires the physical filing of COC, the commission enjoins everyone to follow the health and safety protocols. There will be a limit as to the number of people allowed in the receiving office,” Embalsado added.
An aspirant will only be allowed to bring two escorts or companions inside the Comelec office during the filing.
“The supporters cannot go inside the election office or receiving office, they have to stay outside. But just the same, they have to strictly follow the health and safety protocols, especially the physical distancing, they should wear masks,” the official said.
Some of the election offices have transferred the venue for purpose of the COC filing to give ample space for the filers and their supporters while strictly enforcing the health and safety protocols.
Covid-19 marshals, including policemen or military, will also be deployed in Comelec offices to ensure an orderly filing of certificates of candidacy.
Source: Philippines News Agency