No flying voters in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines - The number of voters in Talisay City has reached 109,000 as of the close of registration last October 31, according to City Election Officer Corazon Moran who said no flying voters are registered in the city.

Moran clarified, however, that the 14, 844 new registrants including transferees are still subject to final validation and approval by the Election Registration Board (ERB), which convenes on November 19 in Talisay to screen the names.

As of the 2010 local and national elections, records show the number of registered voters in Talisay was placed at 94,156. 

Moran said the lists of voters who registered are being checked , in preparation for the November 19 Election Registration Board (ERB) hearing.

The ERB hearing is a regular procedure of the Comelec to assess applications of voters’ registration for final approval or disapproval. 

It is composed of the election officer, local civil registrar, and Department of Education (DepEd) supervisor.

The ERB board reviews all entries in the voters’ registration forms to determine whether there are loopholes in the information given. 

Moran said the grounds for disapproval of a registrant include any discrepancy in his residency and age requirements. 

Voters who registered must have at least six months residency in the municipality/city prior to the day of his registration and must not be below 18 years old on the day of election in May 2013. 

The ERB can disqualify a voter applicant if there is a flaw discovered in the requirements he gave in his voter’s registration form. 

In the hearing, the board can also validate records to check on deceased voters, double registrations, and transfer of voters as part of the efforts to update COMELEC records of the area. (FREEMAN)