MANILA, Philippines - Voters’ registration kiosks open in four Robinsons malls in Metro Manila today.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez said the kiosks were opened to reach out to voters.
“We urge the mall-going public to take the opportunity to register and have their biometrics data captured at Robinsons Malls nationwide,” he said.
The Comelec has initially set up satellite registration at Robinsons Place in Manila, Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas, Robinsons Metro East in Pasig, and Robinsons Forum in Mandaluyong.
Robinsons Land Corp. signed an agreement with the Comelec for the operation of the voter registration kiosks at all Robinsons malls until Oct. 15 next year.
The kiosks are open Mondays to Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekends, it would depend on future arrangements.
Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Comelec decided to venture into malls due to the low turnout of registrants in Comelec offices since May 6.
“We noticed that the number (of registered voters) is not that high,” he said. “So we are taking the initiative to go to the voters, instead of the voters going to our offices. We hope that the public will realize the importance of registering and validating their registration so they can vote in 2016.”
Brillantes said 9.6 million voters would be disenfranchised if they fail to have their biometrics data taken. Only half a million have come to validate their registration, he added.
At present, only 49 million voters are in the Comelec’s Voter’s List after those who failed to vote in the 2013 midterm and barangay elections have been delisted.