Comelec mulls suspension of voter’s registration

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is considering a three-month suspension of voter’s registration to give way to the conduct of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election.

Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca yesterday said the possibility of suspending the registration period was discussed during a meeting of the steering committee last Thursday.

The SK election should be held between October 2014 and February 2015.

The SK poll was initially set on Oct. 28, 2013, but Congress passed Republic Act 9340, which reset the barangay and SK polls.

The poll body supported the measure, noting that the SK has become a breeding ground for political dynasties, as majority of the candidates are children or relatives of regular politicians.

The Comelec also raised concern that the SK had exposed the youth to the practice of traditional politicians of mismanaging public funds.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez has called on eligible voters not to dilly-dally in registering and in updating their voter’s registration so they would not miss the opportunity to vote in the 2016 presidential election.

“The public should now feel the urgency to accomplish their registration as soon as possible, while the lines are not yet that long, because of this plan of shortening the voter’s registration,” he said.

The Comelec said at least 9,301,386 voters without their biometrics data might be removed from the voter’s list for the 2016 elections.