Poll registrants start to dwindle

CEBU, Philippines -  Applicants for registration at the offices of the Commission on Elections have started to dwindle more than a week after the poll body started listing up for the 2016 elections.

Provincial election supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano described it as “usual” scenario that happens after the first week of registrations.

“Sad to say nagkamingaw. We started strong sa cities nato during the first day and second day. Hinuon ingon ani gyud ni siya usually,” Castillano said.

The Comelec in Cebu reported a total of 11, 713 registrants in different local offices from May 6 to 9. There were 3, 906 registrants on the first day.

Comelec has modified the five-day work week schedule of filing of voter registration-related applications. It will begin on Sundays and ends on Fridays. The deadline of registration is on October 31 next year.

The registration includes transfer of records, change of name, corrections of entries in the registration record, reactivation of registration record, reinstatement of name in the list of voters, inclusion of registration records in the Book of Voters, validation of registration of records, and updating of records of Persons with Disabilities.

In anticipation of the influx of last-minute registrants, the Comelec will soon start an offsite registration.

“Usa pod na sa atong giistoryahan with the election officers nga moabot na gani ang panahon nga magkamingaw, mo-coordinate na ta sa atong barangay officials to have offsite registration. Any time from now mag-conduct na ta,” Castillano said.

The offsite or satellite registration will be conducted in barangay halls, commercial establishments, public and private schools, or any public places provided that the number of prospective applicants in the proposed venue  are not less than 200.

He added that the Comelec has also tapped the religious sector as to the dissemination of information regarding the registration period.

“Ipahibawo nila nga ang Comelec abli aning panahona aron pagdawat sa rehistro labi na tong way biometrics. I hope atong registrants, they would cooperate mintras gamay pa ang tawo.”  (FREEMAN)