Longer voter registration period rejected by Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is adamant about adhering to its schedule and not extending the more than seven-month timeframe for voter registration, even though it acknowledges that current efforts to change the Constitution may interfere with its plans for the 2025 midterm elections.

“As of now, the Comelec has not envisioned an extension of registration beyond Sept. 30, 2024, as timelines for the preparatory activities for the May 2025 [national and local elections] must necessarily be concluded as stated,” the poll body’s spokesperson, John Rex Laudiangco, told reporters on Monday.

The voter registration period for the upcoming elections, which is set to run from February 12 to September 30, is already "properly studied," according to Comelec Chair George Garcia.

This time, three million more voters are the aim of the poll body, bringing the total number of voters to 71 million from 68 million.

“Our registration period starting from February and ending in September is concise for our preparation. It is impossible to register all of those three million people in just a month or two,” Garcia said.

Next month, the Comelec will formally introduce the Register Anywhere Program (RAP), which will enable voter registration applications via locations in shopping centers, colleges, and government buildings all around the Philippines. In order to get ready for the May 2025 elections, the Comelec has a strict eight-month timeline. Offices must set up Election Registration Boards, complete precinct projects, and buy election supplies and forms.

Via Philippine Inquirer