ILOILO City – More than five million are eligible to vote in Western Visayas in the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.
Based on the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) special Election Registration Board (ERB) hearing on Nov. 11, registered voters in Region 6 reached 5,026,482 – up 217,643 from 2019 midterm elections’ 4,808,839.
Here’s the breakdown of registered voters per province and highly urbanized city:
* Aklan – 409,938
* Antique – 387,998
* Capiz – 529,079
* Guimaras – 124,076
* Iloilo – 1,628,752
* Iloilo City – 330,470
* Negros Occidental – 1,946,639
* Bacolod City – 327,403
Region 6 has a total of 4,051 barangays, with a total of 31,536 established precincts, 8,570 clustered/grouped precincts and 3,569 voting centers, Comelec data showed.
In Aklan, its first legislative district (composed of Altavas, Balete, Banga, Batan, Kalibo, Libacao, Madalag, and New Washington) has 209,315 registered voters while the 2nd District (Buruanga, Ibajay, Lezo, Makato, Malay, Malinao, Nabas, Numancia and Tangalan) has 200,623.
In Antique, five towns have the highest registered voters: Sibalom – 39,558, San Jose – 37,962, Hamtic – 30,483, Culasi – 28,497, and Pandan – 24,806.
Here are the registered voters in the remaining towns: Caluya (23,998), San Remigio (22,808), Bugasong (22,422), Patnongon (22,006), Laua-an (19,526), Tobias Fornier (19,317), Tibiao (18,121), Barbaza (15,881), Valderrama (14,313), Anini-y (14,197), Sebaste (12,766), Libertad (11,402), and Belison (9,935).
In Capiz, the first legislative district (composed of Maayon, Panay, Panitan, Pilar, Pontevedra, President Roxas, and Roxas City) has the highest number of registered voters at 280,436, while the 2nd District (Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, Ivisan, Jamindan, Mambusao, Sapian, Sigma and Tapaz) has 248,643.
In Guimaras, Buenavista has 36,365 eligible voters followed by Nueva Valencia (27,338), Jordan (26,350), San Lorenzo (18,700), and Sibunag (15,323).
Meanwhile, here’s the number of voters per legislative district in Iloilo province:
* 5th District (Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, San Rafael, and Sara) – 312,391
* 3rd District (Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maason, Mina, and Pototan) – 273,797
* 4th District (Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuveo, Dingle, Duenas, Dumangas, San Enrique and Passi City) – 261, 174
* 1st District (Guimbal, Igbaras, Miag-ao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan and Tubungan) – 228,690 registered voters
* 2nd District (Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Zarraga) – 222,230
In Negros Occidental:
* 3rd District (E.B. Magalona, Murcia, Talisay City, Silay City and Victorias City) – 313,671
* 6th District (Candoni, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Kabankalan City, and Sipalay City) – 307,048
* 5th District (Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, and Himamaylan City) – 291,349
* 1st District (Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto, Toboso, Escalante City, and San Carlos City) – 251,754
* 4th District (Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Valladolid, Bago City, and La Carlota City) – 241,130
* 2nd District (Manapla, Cadiz City, and Sagay City) – 214,284
Comelec encouraged registered voters to exercise their right to suffrage.
Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado, director of Comelec-6, said there’s only an average of 70 to 74 percent voters’ turnout in every election.
“Voting is really a privilege given to those qualified,” Balisado said.
To those concerned of their safety, Balisado said a Comelec campaign committee would be set up to ensure health protocols are complied with.
A special lane would be designated to senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, according to Comelec.
Voting hours will start from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m./PN
