Only for those given registration forms: City Comelec extends voters' registration

Since the Commission on Elections Cebu City office can only accommodate 600 registrants a day, the office will be giving those who have lined up but were not able to register a chance to have themselves registered.

Cebu City North Comelec officer lawyer Marchel Sarno said the office has been listing the names of those who have been lining up to register but were not accommodated. Those in the list were given registration forms in advance and were asked to come back on January 2 to 7 for their registration.

The Comelec Cebu City office can only accommodate up to 600 people a day and there are usually more than 600 people who queue at the office to register. The office will give out registration forms in advance until today.

"If they were given a form ug nakapa-logbook pwede ra sila mobalik karong January 2 until 7 pero kadtong wala gyud, dili na sila pwede maka-register," Sarno explained.

The Comelec has set December 31 as the last day for registration of new voters based on Resolution 7707 signed by Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos and Commissioners Resurrecion Borra, Florntino Tuason, Romeo Brawner, Rene Sarmiento, and Nicodemo Ferrer. The office has decided not to give any extension for the voters' registration.

As of yesterday, the Comelec Cebu City office was able to register close to 2,000 new voters from both the north and south district.

Under Resolution 7707, the election period for the May 14 polls starts on January 14. January 15 is the start of the filing of candidacy for senators, party-list representatives, and local officials. February 13 would be the start of the campaign period for the senators and party-list representatives. - Garry B. Lao/QSBGarry B. Lao/QSB