Comelec: Registration extension depends on SC

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections is awaiting the ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) on the petition requesting to extend voters' registration until Jan. 8, 2016.

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said on Monday the poll body cannot decide on its own and initiate the extension of the voters' registration which ended on October 31.

Jimenez said the reopening of the listing is still possible if it is ordered by the high tribunal.

"Yung pangungunahan ang SC decision, medyo unlikely... It is rather unlikely that the Comelec comes up with a decision before the SC rules on the case," Jimenez said in a state news report.

Jimenez also said that the reopening of voters' registration will have an effect on the preparations for the 2016 local and national elections.

"May epekto 'yan talaga sa timeline natin. Ang malaking pangamba natin ay 'yung mawalan ng sapat na panahon para mag-prepare para sa mismong halalan," Jimenez said.

He said the extension of registration may have undesired effects on the May 9, 2016 election day.

"Magkakaroon ng mataas na potential for error, potential for things like insufficient ballots, mis-delivery, kasi hindi nagawa nang maaga 'yung mga allocations, shipping lists...  Magkakaroon talaga ng negative domino effect kasi 'yung dapat gawin mo ngayon, hindi mo magawa agad," Jimenez added.

The Kabataan party-list earlier asked the Supreme Court to compel the Comelec to extend the voters registration period to January.

The Comelec, however, has maintained that there will be no more extensions since the public was given 17 months to register.