What you need to know about voter registration for 2020 polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections is set to resume the voter registration in August this year.

When to register

The voter’s registration will run for two months from August 1 to September 30.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the application may be filed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Mondays to Saturdays. They will accept applications during holidays since there are two holidays in August: Ninoy Aquino Day on August 21 and National Heroes’ Day on August 26.

Where to register

Jimenez said these may be filed at the Office of the Election Officer or any satellite registration site in the locality where the registrant resides.

He said satellite registration offices may be established in barangay halls or centers, public and private schools and universities, malls, commercial establishments and other public convenient places.

The poll body’s spokesman added that interested party may also request for conduct of satellite voter registration site in their area but they are required to coordinate their request and be approved by the election officer who have jurisdiction over their district, city or municipality.

Jimenez added that the satellite voter registration site “shall not be conducted in public or private buildings owned, leased or occupied as residence by any incumbent local government unit officials or of any person who is related to them within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.”

“The Comelec will conduct exclusive satellite #VoterReg2019 registration for the youth, senior citizens, women, persons deprived of liberty, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, members of indigenous cultural communities, & other vulnerable sectors,” Jimenez also said.

Who can register

Under the Republic Act No. 8189 or "The Voter's Registration Act of 1996, any Filipino citizen who is not yet a registered voter, may apply for registration, provided he/she possesses the following qualifications:

• At least eighteen (18) years of age on Election Day and/or are committed inside the detention centers for at least six months immediately preceding Election Day.
• A resident of the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherin he/she proposes to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the elections.

Those who are aged 15 but not more than 30 shall be included in the list of those who may vote for SK candidates.

The next barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections is slated on May 11, 2020. However, President Rodrigo Duterte is asking the 18th Congress to postpone the polls and move it to 2022.

READ: Duterte asks Congress to move barangay, SK polls to 2022

Jimenez said the voter registration will push through despite possible postponement of May 2020 polls. 

In nine days, #VoterReg2019 will start — regardless of moves to postpone #BSKE2020. #magparehistroka na. pic.twitter.com/gCoF53UhWn

— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) July 23, 2019

The Comelec will also allow the change of or correction entries, reactivation, inclusion of registration record and reinstatement of name in the list of voter during the period of voter’s registration.

Who are not allowed to register

In Comelec Resolution No. 10214 or the Resumption of the system of continuing registration of voters in connection with the May 14, 2018 Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, the poll body stated that the following are disqualified filing applications for registration:

• Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment for not less than one year, such disability not having been removed by plenary pardon or amnesty;

• Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by a competent court or tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duly-constituted government, such as, rebellion, insurrection, violation of the firearms laws, or any crime against national security unless restored to his (or her) full civil and political rights in accordance with law; and

• Insane or incompetent person as declared by competent authority unless subsequently declared by proper authority that such person is no longer insane or incompetent.

The poll body said the records of registered voters who fall under will be deactivated.

What you need to register

First-time voter registrants will only need to present valid identification card to establish their identity and prove that they are submitting a correct residential address.

The following IDs are considered valid:

• Employee's identification card, with the signature of the employer or authorized representative;

• Postal ID;

• PWD (Persons with Disability) Discount ID;

• Student's ID or library card, signed by the school authority;

• Senior Citizen's ID;

• Driver's license;

• NBI clearance;

• Passport;

• SSS/GSIS ID;

• Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID;

• License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC);

• Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs; and

• Any other valid ID.

pic.twitter.com/XkEyk97KMq

— Radyo Comelec (@radyocomelec) June 29, 2019

Comelec said those who cannot provide valid identification documents “may be identified under oath by any registered voter of the precinct where he (or she) intends to be registered, or by any of his (or her) relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.”

It added that no registered voter or relative should be allowed to identify more than three applicants.

Meanwhile, Community Tax Certificates or cedula and PNP clearance would not be honored as valid during the registration.

The poll agency said applicant who will “fail to establish his (or her) identity by any of the aforementioned methods/documents, he (or she) shall not be issued an application form, nor shall his (or her) pre-accomplished application form be accepted.”

Jimenez said PWDs and senior citizens applicants may accomplish a supplementary voter’s registration form if they are willing to vote in accessible polling places.

Indigenous people and members of Indigenous Cultural Communities need to identify their tribe or community. They are also asked to provide government IDs but if they do not have it, they may present their Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples as a valid identification document to the voter’s registration team.

Meanwhile, those who would like to reactivate their registration should inform the Office of the Election Officer that they failed to vote during the past two elections.

For those who wish to transfer their registration, the applicant is required to show valid IDs bearing their new address or proof of billing to prove that they have transferred address.

On the other hand, those who are applying for correction of entries must provide valid ID showing the correct spelling of their names or marriage certificate showing their new legal name or civil status to prove that they need to change an outdated or wrong information in their records.

All applicants must accomplish the revised template of registration form for the resumption of the voter’s registration. Here's the link of the template form.

During the May 13 polls, there were 61,843,728 registered voters but only 74.89% exercised their right to suffrage.