CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Commission on Elections is urging qualified residents of Central Luzon to register to be able to vote in the next national and local elections slated on May 9, 2022.
Comelec assistant regional director Elmo Duque said the ongoing voter registration will only be until Sept. 30, 2021, with no extension.
“We encourage qualified voters to register as soon as possible to avoid the rush since we only have about a month before the deadline. Let us do it now while we can still go and register, and while the Office of Election Officer in your area is still open. Due to the pandemic, quarantine classifications may change and may result to closing of OEOs, so let’s take advantage of that,” he said.
To facilitate the ongoing voter registration, Duque urged the public to go to their website www.comelec.gov.ph and click the iRehistro link for their application.
“Under the link, you can choose whether you are a local or overseas applicant. All you have to do is to complete the online form and select among the options whether you are a new registrant, for reactivation, transfer, correction of entries, or change of status,” he said.
Another way is through the mobile registration form application which can be downloaded through bit.ly/MobileFormApp wherein the applicant needs to select the desired type of application and encode all necessary personal information in order to generate a QR Code.
Duque said that both methods require the applicant to still make a personal appearance at the OEO for biometrics capture and form submission or QR Code scanning.
“We should note however that the mobile registration app is not available in Aurora and Pampanga. This is a pilot project of the commission which is only available in 35 cities and municipalities of the region,” he clarified.
The election official also reminded applicants to bring a valid ID issued by the government or their employer, provided that it establishes their identity and residence, when going to the OEO.
In case an applicant has no valid ID, he or she can present proof of billing. In the absence of this, he or she can still prove his or her identity through the attestation of a registered voter at the precinct where the applicant will be registered.
Duque said their offices are open for voter registration Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., as well as Saturdays and holidays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
He also reminded the applicants to observe physical distancing, and wear face masks and face shields when going to the OEO.
Meanwhile, the comelec has scheduled the filing of certificates of candidacy for all positions from Oct. 1 to 8.
The official start of the election period, which includes the implementation of the gun ban, will be on Jan. 9, 2022 to end on June 8.
The campaign period for national positions including the president, vice president, senators and Partylist will be from Feb. 8 to May 8 while local positions will be from March 25 to May 8. — Marie Joy S. Carbungco/PIA-3
