ILOILO – Between Sept. 1, 2020 and Oct. 30, 2021, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Region 6 processed 647,586 applications for voters’ registration, re-activation, transfer of residence, change of name, and correction of entry, among others, for the May 2022 local and presidential elections.
Here’s the breakdown of the applications:
* Aklan – 56,149
* Antique – 47,912
* Capiz – 67,644
* Guimaras – 14,910
* Iloilo – 223,330
* Negros Occidental – 237,641
According to Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado, director of Comelec in Region 6, this is despite the closure of election offices – particularly those in Iloilo city and province – due to restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Balisado did not reveal how many were new voter registrants but said Comelec-6 “exceeded its target of 350,000 to 400,000.”
He also clarified that such applicants are to be vetted by the Election Registration Board (ERB) yet.
“In principle, parang approved na talaga ‘yan (applications). Pero ‘pag mayroong mag-question na ‘Itong tao na ‘to hindi naman taga-diyan,’ puede silang maka-file ng petition sa Municipal Trial Court,” explained Balisado.
Here are the voters’ qualifications:
* Filipino citizen
* at least 18 years old on or before Election Day (May 9, 2022)
* a resident of the Philippines for at least one year and a resident of the place in which you intend to vote for at least six months
Comelec-6 may release the “clean list” of voters next month.
According to Balisado, they project a total of 4.8 million qualified voters in Western Visayas./PN