ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is once again appealing to all Western Visayans of voting age to register ahead of the May 9, 2022 polls. The election body shortened voter registration hours beginning March 22.
From the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule every Mondays to Saturdays, offices of election officers in places where the applicants want to vote would only accept applications up until 3 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays.
“Kon puede kadto na lang kamo daan subong sa mga election offices,” said Atty. Dennis Ausan, Comelec Region 6 director. “We need everybody’s cooperation.”
Ausan said the commission adopted the adjustment to pre-empt the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the region.
He also clarified that Comelec employees would still report every Friday – their schedule for disinfection.
Ausan then reiterated that the public should not wait for the deadline of registration on Sept. 31, 2021.
The poll body also suspended satellite registration in remote barangays.
The Comelec-6 is waiting for the announcement of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and their executive branch for further adjustments on the registration schedule should the coronavirus cases tone down.
Registrants are also advised to observe minimum health protocols during their visit to their municipal/city election offices.
From Sept. 1, 2020 to March 20, 2021, the Comelec-6 had 129,148 applications for registration. These included not only voter registration but also those applications for transfer, reactivation, correction of entry and change of status.
“We cannot deny sang value sang pagboto,” Ausan said earlier. “This is the chance for them to have their voices heard…para nga makapili sang insakto nga mga opisyales diri sa aton.”
So what’s the process for voters’ registration in time of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Here’s the complete guide to register:
Ensure you meet eligibility requirements
* Filipino citizen
* At least 18 years old on or before Election Day (May 9, 2022)
* A resident of the Philippines for at least one year and a resident of the place in which you intend to vote for at least six months
Find your Comelec office and book an appointment
* For many areas, this is your city hall. If you’re unsure, just run a quick search of “(your city) Comelec” and click on their official website or Facebook page. They will most likely have a booking system for appointments.
* Make sure you check their specific office hours, as this varies across locations. Due to the high volume of requests and limited space, it’s best to book appointments at least a week in advance.
Print and fill out Comelec forms at home
* Whereas most people need only fill out the CEF-1 and Coronavirus Self Declaration Form, there is also a supplementary data form for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and indigenous peoples.
* Filling everything out before your visit is recommended, leaving just the signatures and thumbprints left to accomplish at the Comelec office.
Photocopy at least one of the following valid identification cards (IDs):
* Employee’s ID, with the signature of the employer or authorized representative
* Postal ID
* PWD Discount ID
* Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority
* Senior Citizen’s ID
* Driver’s license
* NBI clearance
* Passport
* SSS/GSIS ID
* Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID
* License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC)
* Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs
Make sure to bring the following to your Comelec office:
* Accomplished forms
* Valid ID and photocopy of ID
* Own ballpen
* Facemask and face shield
* Alcohol or hand sanitizer
* Water (to stay hydrated)
Registration usually takes two hours. Some procedures may vary between municipalities, but here’s what to expect for your Comelec visit:
* Contact tracing
* Visitors tend to be limited, so you’ll likely be placed in an additional queue outside to fill out contact tracing forms.
Since you already filled out your application, this could be the longest part of the process:
* Application review and signature – an electoral officer will review your application, indicate any errors, and have you sign in front of him or her.
* Logging application into the system
* Your application will be digitized and entered into the Election Registration Board’s (ERB) system./PN
