Low turnout in Region 11 voter list-up

DAVAO CITY — There has been a low turnout in the ongoing voters’ registration in Southern Mindanao for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in May next year.

According to Commission on Elections’ Region 11 director Lirio Joquiño, only 5,000 of the expected 50,000 potential voters in the region have registered since the list-up started last Dec. 10.

Joquiño, however, said the Comelec offices in the region will be open during the holidays, except on Dec. 25, to accommodate registrants.

Joquiño cited security problems and the Christmas break for the low turnout, adding that most potential registrants in the 15-21 age bracket may have gone home for the holidays.

Joquiño noted the violence that marred the list-up in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur last Dec. 17 when ambushers killed a barangay councilman and wounded eight SK members. — Edith Regalado