Start of voters’ registration moved to May 3

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has ruled to move the period of the resumption of the system of continuing registration for all areas nationwide except for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) from April 1, 2011 to May 3, 2011.

In Resolution No. 9168, promulgated March 22, 2011, the COMELEC cited the need for its Regional Election Directors to have “sufficient time to procure the application forms and deliver the same to the offices of their respective Provincial Election Supervisors.”

The COMELEC explained that they have recently ordered the rushing of the distribution of voter registration application forms to its field offices, delegating the authority to the Regional Election Directors in Non-ARMM areas to procure the said application forms for use in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

“The COMELEC is decentralizing the procurement of registration application forms. This will make the procurement – as well as the delivery – of these forms more efficient. However, this also means that the Regional Election Directors will need a little more time to carry out these procurements,” said COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez. ###

HOW TO REGISTER

1) Present yourself to the Election Officer . The elction officer can usually be found in your local city hall or barangay hall.

2) Fill out the appropriate application form .

3) Present yourself for the capturing of your biometric information . In other words, the election  officer will take your picture, your fingerprint and your signature.

4) Receive your Acknowledgment Receipt .

5) Wait for the Notice of Hearing or the Notice of Confirmation on your application . This doesn't mean that you'll be in your barangay hall forever. The notice will be mailed to you. You can wait in your home.

6) Attend the Hearing if one is called . This means that someone has challenged your right to be registered as a voter. Appear and prove that you are qualified.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A VOTER?

• Filipino citizen
• At least eighteen (18) years old
• Is a resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year
• Is a resident in the place where he is going to vote for at least six (6) months before the election
• Not otherwise disqualified by law

WHAT ARE THE DISQUALIFICATIONS BY LAW?

• Any person who has been sentenced by final judgement to suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year
• Any person who committed crimes such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms law and against national security
• Insane or incompetent person

REMINDERS

• Register early! Don't wait for the deadline to be near. Early registration avoids all lines.
• Don't lose the acknowledgement slip. Anomalies may happen and that slip will help prove to all that you are registered to vote.