Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez advised candidates for the 2022 national and local election to focus on online campaigns instead of the usual house-to-house and campaign rallies due to the threat of COVID-19.
“We are particularly concerned about face-to-face encounters between campaigners and the public [because] that’s where your spread is gonna happen,” Jimenez told ANC.
Comelec revealed that some 1.3 million of 4 million eligible new voters have registered so far for the May 2022 elections.
“As of yesterday, I believe we were about 1.3 million registered voters already. That’s 1.3 million applications. So, we still have quite a way to go,” Jimenez said.
Voter registration began on January 20, 2020, but was deferred for 5 months due to the COVID-19 crisis. Comelec resumed operations on September 1, 2020, and has only 8 months left to accommodate new voters.
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Comelec: Candidates in 2022 election should focus on online campaigns
The poll body eyes extending registration hours and increasing satellite registration centers nationwide.
In November 2020, Comelec launched iRehistro for online voters’ registration to encourage more applicants to register and vote for the May 2022 national and local elections.
However, it reminded applicants that they still need to personally appear at the nearest Comelec office for the biometrics (photograph, fingerprints, and signature) data capture.
It said the online voters’ registration only attempts to facilitate a faster accomplishment of the application form.
“It does not automatically mean approval of your application,” it said.
“The Election Registration Board (ERB) still has to approve your application on the scheduled date for the next ERB hearing,” it added.
To avail of online voters’ registration, visit https://irehistro.comelec.gov.ph/cef1.