Comelec to release 35 M voter's IDs before 2013 midterm polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would be able to release identification cards (IDs) for some 35 million voters in time for the 2013 midterm polls, an official said yesterday.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the poll body had already distributed 25 million voter’s IDs so far.

“These are the voters who are already covered by biometrics. Distribution of IDs is still ongoing,” he said.

Sarmiento said that by 2013, the Comelec might be able to release some 35 million voter’s IDs, more than half of the 52 million registered voters in the May 2010 polls.

“Many voters do not cooperate. They have not gone to their Comelec offices to give their biometrics because registering as voters is not mandatory. That’s one reason why not all could be given IDs,” he added.

Sarmiento, however, expressed confidence that the investigation to be done by the Comelec with the Department of Justice concerning the allegations of cheating in the 2004 and 2007 elections might entice people to sign up with the poll body.

“I think if they see that the integrity of elections (is there), the more they will be encouraged to register and vote. With this investigation and its conclusion, I think it will encourage more voters,” he added.

The official has encouraged qualified voters not to wait for the Oct. 12, 2012 deadline before registering with the Comelec.

The Comelec had been taking voters’ biometric data like digital signatures, fingerprints and photographs as part of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) program that was intended to make the elections clean and honest.

Under AFIS, the Comelec cross matches the biometrics data to identify those with double and multiple registrations.