Registration for barangay, SK polls extended

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) extended yesterday the registration of voters for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

“The great number of applicants over the past week indicate that a great many people wish to exercise their right of suffrage,” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

Both registration periods ended last Sunday.

Jimenez said voters in the barangay elections can still register at Comelec offices from July 24 to 31.

Registration for the SK elections, meanwhile, will be accepted over two consecutive weekends, on July 28 and 29 and on Aug. 4 and 5, he added.

Last Thursday, scores were injured in a stampede after a huge crowd went to the Comelec office in Antonio Villegas St. (Arroceros) in Manila to register.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos has expressed surprise over the overcrowding because only six months have passed since the last registration. 

Under Resolution 8218, qualified to register for the barangay elections are:

• Those at least 18 years old; and

• Has resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherein he proposes to vote for at least six months immediately preceding the election; and

• Not disqualified by law.

Qualified to register for the SK elections are any Filipino citizen who is at least 15 years old but below 18 years old on or before Oct. 29 and actually residing in the barangay for at least six months of election day.            

The registration for the barangay elections would be held at the offices of the election officers in the cities and municipalities, while SK registration would be at the barangay level. –Sheila Crisostomo