The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced it would not extend the deadline for voter registration on September 30, 2021.
However, Comelec will extend the registration hours.
“The en Banc — citing concerns about the timeline of preparations for the 2022 National and Local Elections, as well as significant continuing apprehensions about the health and safety of the public and of COMELEC personnel — decided against extending the voter registration period beyond September [30], 2021,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.
Jimenez added Comelec en banc “unanimously approved” the extension of voter registration hours and the opening of voter registration on Saturdays and holidays until the deadline.
Meanwhile, Rowena Guanzon said the en banc approved the extension of registration hours “Monday up to 7 PM and on Saturday up to 5PM.”
Last week, senators filed a resolution urging Comelec to extend voter registration to October 31, 2021, to prevent “voter disenfranchisement” brought about by pandemic.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Nancy Binay, Leila De Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Joel Villanueva filed the resolution.
Meanwhile, Hontiveros lamented Comelec’s decision to reject their proposal.
Comelec: No extension of voter registration
“Nevertheless, I welcome COMELEC’s proposal to provide longer registration hours, possibly even adding Sundays to their schedule, to somehow make up for lost time,” she said.
“Huwag palampasin ang pagkakataong makilahok sa halalan sa 2022 [Do not miss the opportunity to participate in the 2022 elections],” she added.
Meanwhile, the government expects that by Election 2022, all voters in the country will be vaccinated against COVID-19.
This is important because it will dictate how the Commission of Elections conducts the 2022 national elections, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.
“I think the COMELEC will just wait and see what the situation is. By that time sa 2022, sa May elections, I think we have covered everybody for vaccination, all voters, by that time, fully vaccinated na sila,” he said.
“By 2022, we will be concentrating on vaccinating children. So iyong mga adults, 18 and above, fully vaccinated na iyon. Ang hahabulin nalang natin sa 2022 ay iyong under 18,” he added.
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