Comelec keeps eye on overaged voters

CEBU, Philippines – The Commission on Elections in Talisay City is keeping an eye on the possibility that there were overaged youths attempting to register for the Sangguniang Kabataan during the 10-day registration in preparation for February 21, 2015 elections.

In an interview with reporters, Comelec assistant officer Efren Arnejo Jr. said they are checking on the overaged registrants.

Comelec-Talisay posted a total of 746 registrants since day one until last day of registration period.

Records show that since July 2013 Comelec-Talisay has logged 7,861 registrants.

But Arnejo said they will have to verify if those who previously had themselves enlisted are still qualified because not all youth are aware of the qualifications for SK registration.

Of the 7,861 registrants, 3,183 are already 18 years old on or before February 21, 2015 while the 4, 678 are 15 years old and 17 years old.

SK requirements provide that only those aged 15 to 17 years old on actual election day are allowed to cast their votes.

"Kinahanglan pa gyud atong tan-awon ang tanan kay naay uban nila milapas na sa ilang edad (We really have to look into the records because some of the registrants are already beyond the required age)," Arnejo said.

Arnejo added that those who registered last year for the cancelled October 2013 SK elections and still qualified or not more than 18 years old on or before the day of the election don't need to register again.

On September 5, Comelec passed Resolution No. 9899 setting the period of registration.

The SK elections were supposed to take place last October 28, 2013 to synchronize with the barangay elections, however, President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act 10632 on October 3, 2013, postponing the SK polls to give way to the proposed amendments to the SK legislation.