Sunday voter’s registration in provinces to be stopped

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will soon stop the voter’s registration on Sundays in the provinces due to the low turnout of registrants.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said they have observed that the Sunday registration has not gathered enough interest from the public, especially in the provinces.

“We will stop the Sunday voter’s registration, except in Metro Manila where people look forward to their dayoff to go to Comelec offices,” he said.

In the provinces, people usually prefer to stay at home during the weekend, except when they go to the church or the market.

As an alternative, the poll body is looking at holding satellite registration near churches and marketplaces.  

“We are also letting our regional election directors decide what days they want the registration open. They can do it from Sunday to Thursday or Monday to Friday. They have the discretion on that,” Brillantes said.

Some 9.6 million registered voters may not be able to vote in the 2016 elections as they have not had their biometrics taken by the poll body.

The voter’s registration will run until Oct. 31 next year.