ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Western Visayas recorded a low turnout of new voter registrants for the upcoming 2022 polls.
From Sept. 1, 2020 to Feb. 11, 2021, the region only logged 72,231 new voter registrants, barely reaching 25 percent of its 400,000 target before the end of voter’s registration on Sep. 30, 2021.
Director Atty. Dennis Ausan attributed the low numbers to the challenges brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“The factor that’s really common sa subong is due to the challenges brought about by pandemic and of course still the complacency of our friends out there to wait for the last hour to go to the election offices and had themselves registered,” Ausan told Panay News during the launching of the New Comelec Work Week For Voter’s Registration attended by former Comelec Commissioner Gregorio “Goyo” Larrazabal.
Now, the poll body is intensifying its information dissemination campaign to encourage the public to register early to avoid crowding in election offices when the deadline comes.
Based on Comelec’s guidelines, those aged 18 years old and above can have themselves registered in their municipal or city election offices.
They can bring any government-issued identification cards like passport, PhilHealth, and Social Security System identification cards, among others.
Those individuals who will be turning 18 years old on or before the election date (May 9, 2022), may also register now.
Meanwhile, Ausan sees the launching of the New Comelec Work Week for Voter’s Registration as a way to boost voter’s turnout in the region.
Instead of the regular Monday to Friday office hours, starting yesterday, Feb. 16, registration would be scheduled from Tuesday to Saturday. Ausan said this will give way to those working on weekdays.
Aside from this, the Comelec will observe adjusted working schedule to cater more registrants. From the original 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. schedule, it will be extended until 5 p.m.
The election offices will also be open during holidays, Ausan said./PN
