Voter Registrants Must Personally Submit Application: Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday reminded those seeking to register as regular voter and Sangguniang (SK) Kabataan voter to personally file their application.

According to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, all local poll body office, particularly Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) in city/municipality, will not accept proxy registration.

He noted that Republic Act No. 8189, “The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996″ requires the applicant to personally accomplish his/her application for registration.

“Dahil ang requirement ng batas (It is because what the law requires) is for the individual to “personally register,” the poll body official in an interview.

“This is to ensure that each voter on the list corresponds to an actual person, and to give the election office the opportunity to verify the applicant’s eligibility,” Jimenez added.

The registration period is set to start on August 1 until September 30, during office hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays.

Aside from application for new registration, the OECs will also accept application for transfer of registration and reactivation of registration.

With this, the poll body reminded applicants to bring valid ID (includes government-issued ID, driver’s license, school ID, passport), two photocopies of front and back of ID (they will be presenting) and three copies of application form which can be downloaded from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) website.

In case the applicant has no ID, the registrant may submit a sworn statement to prove identity from any of the following: a registered voter from the precinct where he or she will vote; a family member (within 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity).

Those who are eligible to register as a voter should be: a Filipino citizen, a resident of the Philippines, (resides at the locality where he/she intends to vote for at least six months).

For regular voters, he/she must be 18 years old on or before the May 11, 2020 Barangay and SK elections.

For those who will register as SK voters, the applicant should be 15 years old on or before the May 11, 2020 youth polls.

The Comelec will also be setting up satellite registration centers in malls and schools. (PNA)