Mandatory biometrics for poll registration eyed

MANILA, Philippines - Amid allegations of cheating in past elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday pushed for mandatory registration using the biometrics system.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes called on the Senate to emulate the House of Representatives and immediately enact a measure making the registration through the biometrics system mandatory.

“We will lobby with the Senate because if it is mandatory, everybody would register under the biometrics,” Brillantes said as he expressed hope for the early passage of such proposal.

“We want to make sure by October next year, all voters would have been validated and registered,” he said.

Last June Congress approved a proposal mandating all voters registered under the old system to submit themselves for biometrics validation.

This means that they would be submitted for live capture of photograph, as well as fingerprint and signature through the data capturing machines.

Brillantes said requiring everyone to submit for biometrics registration will make it easier for the Comelec to cleanse the voters’ list before the 2013 elections. Those who would not register will lose their right to vote.

Brillantes said through the biometrics system’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), the poll body would be able to identify those who have double and multiple registrations.

The continuing registration is set to run until Oct. 31, 2012 or seven months before the midterm polls.