On SK polls Comelec mulls to shorten voters' registration period

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Comelec is mulling to shorten the voters' registration period for the Sangguniang Kabataan election.

Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca, who visited the city days earlier, explained that the poll body has discussed the possibility of shortening the voters' registration by three months to prepare for the SK election, which was scheduled between October 28, 2014 to February 23, 2015.

"There's a great possibility that the SK polls will push through," Padaca said. "The registration that we're doing now will be suspended for 90 days so the Comelec can focus on the preparation for the youth polls."

The voters' registration runs from May 6, 2014 to October 31, 2015, she said, adding that the Comelec plan to shorten this period will compel the voters to register and update their biometrics data.

Padaca said the SK election was supposed to be conducted in October last year, but Congress passed a legislation to postpone it.

Meanwhile, Padaca noted the low turnout of voters' registration every Sunday. "The Comelec en banc is planning to stop the registration every Sundays." Comelec offices are open during Sundays to cater those who are not available to register on weekdays.