Comelec: New system shortens registration process by half

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) launched a new online registration system to shorten the time that potential voters spend in the application process.

In a statement Monday, Commissioner Al Parreño said that voters may now accomplish their application and other forms online before proceeding to their local Comelec office.

"Accomplishing voters’ application and other forms through the iRehistro website will shorten the application process to as much as half the time," Parreño said.

After filling out the application forms online at www.comelec.gov.ph or iRehistro.com, applicants may opt to schedule their appearance at the local Comelec office.

The scheduling function, however, is initially available only in Quezon City.

Applicants only need to print three copies of the form and submit unsigned copies to the election officer (EO).

Other forms available online are Application for Transfer, Application for Reactivation, Change/Correction of Entries, Inclusion of Record in the Book of Voters, Reinstatement to Voters List and Submission of Supplementary Forms.

The poll body has recently been encouraging citizens to register as voters and submit their biometric information in the satellite offices.

"Part from rising to the challenge of processing close to three million new voters, the Commission must also ensure that more than 9 million registered voters are informed that they need to submit themselves for biometric capture lest they be disenfranchised in 2016," Comelec spokesman James Jimenez had said.