Dizon proposes voters’ registration in schools

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government and the Commission on Election are amenable to the proposal of conducting registrations in different schools and universities in the city.

A proposed resolution of Councilor Alvin Dizon hopes to make the registration process more accessible to students who are first time voters.

For his part, Cebu City north district Comelec officer Marchel Sarno agreed to the resolution of Dizon.

However, he said his office is also considering if there is an assurance that there will be registrants in the schools and universities.

“Ok ra man mi kay accessible sa students. Amo sad tan-awn kon gamay ra ba ang nag-paregister (in the office at present). We are willing nga mosanong sa city government,” Sarno said.

In the past years, he said they conducted registrations in different schools in the city such as in the University of Cebu. According to him, it was effective.

The proposed resolution also hopes “to include voter’s education as innovation to contribute to the political education of the youth and first time voters who are a potent force to effect positive change in the country’s political system.”

“It could be incorporated in the curriculum or voter’s education through seminars (in the schools),” Dizon said.

Sarno said that the Comelec is also willing to conduct seminars on voter’s education.

“Pwede pud na. Nagseminar na sad ta initiated by the school (before),” he said.

The resolution also calls for a move ”to strongly encourage local universities and colleges in Cebu City to conduct information dissemination campaign to urge first time voters to register with the Comelec from May 2014 to October 31,2015.”

The Comelec had announced that the period of registration for new registrants would be from May 6, 2014 to October 31, 2015 for the 2016 elections.

Dizon in his resolution is also urging all registered voters who have no biometric data to update their records so they can exercise their right to vote for the 2016 national and local elections.

Republic Act No. 10367 also known as the Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act provides “a voter without biometric record will be removed from the list and will not be able to vote in the next election.”

 â€œThe right of suffrage is a constitutionally guaranteed right afforded to all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law subject to age and residency requirement,” Dizon stated in his resolution. — (FREEMAN)