ILOILO City – Between September 2020 and June 18, 2021 the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Region 6 had processed 234,076 applications for voters’ registration.
The province with the highest registrants was Negros Occidental including Bacolod City with 92,279; followed by Iloilo province including Iloilo City with 78,232; Capiz with Roxas City, 26,588; Aklan, 17,603; Antique, 13,869; and Guimaras, 5,005.
According to Director Dennis Ausan, 65 to 70 percent of the region’s target has been reached so far.
Comelec-6 is targeting 350,000 to 400,000 new registrants.
The voters’ registration period for the May 2022 election is until Sept. 30.
Applications of registration vary – new registration, transfer, correction of entry, and re-activation.
Ausan said most of the applications were new registrants, followed by applicants who intend to transfer their voters’ registration.
Ausan admitted the ongoing modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the province and city of Iloilo including Roxas City in Capiz may have affected their processing of applications. Election offices in these areas were closed.
“It’s really sad indi lang sa taga-Comelec but sa aton kliyente. In the past weeks naghinay ang aton registration,” Ausan said.
But he is optimistic the numbers could increase when quarantine restrictions are eased.
Comelec is also conducting satellite registration in areas with no cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Ausan is encouraging Western Visayans, especially those in areas not under MECQ, to register in their election offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
“Indi na maghulat pa…pandemic subong… indi ini normal. Ingkaso magginutok sa bulan sang September, nali tanan kita magkaproblema,” Ausan said.
Those who wanted to register must bring a valid identification card and ball pen. They should also wear facemask and face shield./PN
