Youth urged to register for 2010 polls

CEBU, Philippines – Provincial legislators are urging young people to take advantage of the upcoming summer break to register for next year’s national and local elections.

Board Member Juan Bolo said that of the six million unregistered voters in the province, 13 percent of which belong to the youth sector who are reportedly unaware that they would need to register in order to vote.

Tanya Hamada, core member of YVote and Young Public Servants, said the summer break is the best time to register with the Commission on Elections, considering that the registration period has been shortened. Comelec said registrants only have until October 31 to register, not December 15 as earlier announced. Comelec said it would need more time to prepare fully for the automated polls next year.

In relation to the ongoing voters’ registration, Comelec has warned the public to be wary against fixers who manufacture and sell fake voters’ identification cards.

“We are calling on the public not to transact with fixers when they apply for registration at Comelec offices nationwide. Bear in mind that voters’ registration is free and that the Comelec is the only government agency authorized to issue voters’ IDs,” said Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez. — Johanna T. Natavio/JMO (THE FREEMAN)