ILOILO City – Exercise your right to vote in the 2022 national and local elections.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Region 6 is enjoining all Western Visayans of voting age to register now and not wait for the last day of voters’ registration on Sept. 30.
“Kon gusto ninyo magboto sa dasun nga election kinahanglan magpa-rehistro gid,” said Iloilo Provincial Election Officer, Atty. Elizabeth Doronila.
“Magkadto na sa election offices kon diin kamo naga-istar ukon nagaplano nga magboto,” she added.
Doronila explained that if many applicants apply in a day, or more than their cut-off of 400 per election office, Comelec may not be able to cater to the remainders.
Their machine may also possibly bug down due to the number of documents being processed.
In addition, Doronila said, residents should also understand that the registration process takes a while; and minimum public health standards are adhered to in each election office.
People must wear facemasks and face shields, observe social distancing, sanitize their hands, and undergo body temperature check, according to Doronila.
Registrants are also encouraged to bring their own ball pen.
Iloilo province had 1,518,000 voters in the May 2019 elections.
Comelec targets to reach 1.6 million voters in the polls on May 9 next year.
It already announced that there will be no extension of voters’ registration.
Assistant Iloilo City Election Officer Jonathan Sayno is also calling on residents to visit satellite registration sites:
* Sept. 21 to 22 – Festive Walk Mall in Mandurriao district
* Sept. 23 – CitiMall Parola
* Sept. 24 and 25 – Robinson’s Jaro
* Sept. 27 to 30 – Robinson’s Mall (main)
The registration would be on a first come, first served basis, Sayno said.
They can accommodate 1,100 to 1,200 registrants a day.
Registrants are advised to bring their valid identification cards.
Sayno said they are also accepting applications for transfer of residence, application for reactivation and correction of entry.
“Ang imo right ma-exercise mo sa pagboto. Biskan isa lang boto mo maisip gid ina kay gusto ka man magpili kon sin-o nagakabagay nga leader naton sa masunod nga tuig,” Sayno emphasized.
Iloilo City had 249,776 voters last May 2019 election.
They target to increase this by 20,000 to 25,000 for next year.
The city Comelec was at the PHINMA University of Iloilo (UI) yesterday for satellite registration.
It partnered with YouVote, a non-profit organization that campaigns and educates youth to register.
According to John Michael Suelo, project head of YouVote, more than 1,000 city residents – mostly youth – flocked to UI to register yesterday.
YouVote is an initiative of Global Shapers Iloilo Hub and co-Presented by PHINMA UI, SK Federation of Iloilo City, Youth First Initiative Philippines and Panay News./PN
