ILOILO City – A “huge number” of potential voters are yet to register for the 2022 national and local elections, said Mayor Jerry Treñas. He urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to extend the voters’ registration period for another 30 days.
Presently, registration is only until Sept. 30.
In his letter to the Comelec en banc, Treñas said the registration of new voters was postponed “several times” due to community quarantine restrictions in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
The city was placed under either an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or modified ECQ then.
“As a democratic country, the voice of the people is important and relevant in the government,” Treñas said.
An extension would allow more Filipinos to exercise their right to vote, according to Treñas.
Earlier, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the Commission en banc will not extend the registration period, citing operational concerns, particularly with the “timeline” associated with the poll preparations.
However, on Tuesday, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas may discuss the voters’ registration period extension after the Senate adopted a resolution seeking its adjustment.
To recall, Comelec earlier approved the holding of voters’ registration in areas under MECQ like Iloilo City and province.
Between Sept. 6 and Sept. 20, the city Comelec office listed 8,666 new voters.
As early as 4 a.m., people were already queuing in designated registration sites.
Due to this influx of would-be registrants daily, the city Comelec has to impose a cut-off. Those who cannot be accommodated for the day can go back the next day./PN
