COMELEC Reminds Voters: Registration Deadline on September 30

Amelia Mignonette Pereda 

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), with the help of Meta's Facebook platform, launched a megaphone banner on August 31. This was done one month before the September 30 deadline for voter registration for next year's midterm elections.

According to COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia, this initiative was prompted by the low number of people who registered to vote since the registration opened in February.

“Nalulungkot po ako sapagkat napaka-massive na ng information dissemination. Tumulong na simbahan, private sector, unibersidad, at government agencies. Pinuntahan namin lahat ng sulok ng Pilipinas,” Garcia said.

He also emphasized that COMELEC would not extend the deadline again after the set cutoff in September.

“Wala nang extension. Isipin ninyo mula February pa tayo nagpapa-extend hanggang September, napaka-habang panahon na po ‘yon,” he added.

Voter registration for both local and overseas voters is set to close on September 30.

In line with this, some universities, such as the University of the Philippines - Los Baños and Far Eastern University, conducted voter registration drives for their students, unregistered teachers, and school staff.

Additionally, COMELEC inaugurated satellite and mall registrations in selected areas, open from Monday to Saturday, including holidays.

According to the agency, anyone aged 18 or older on election day can register, provided they bring documents like a birth certificate and a valid ID.

In an interview, Cai Mejada, a new voter, stated that voting is important to her because it is a right that deserves to be valued.

“Sa pagboto natin naipapakita ang halaga ng opinyon natin, kung sino ang pinaniniwalaan nating kayang mag-lead sa bayan,” Mejada said.

Meanwhile, the Register Anywhere Program, which allowed citizens to register at the nearest RAP site regardless of their residence, concluded today.