New voters urged to register for upcoming barangay, SK polls
City Commission on Elections (Comelec) in-charge Jonathan Sayno has urged new voters to register starting July 15-22, 2007 so that that they could vote in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 29, 2007.
The one-week registration came following the issuance of Comelec resolution 8218 issued last Friday. The city Comelec received its copy of the resolution Monday. The resolution contains the mechanics for the registration of first-time voters, as well as those who want to reactivate their registration or transfer to another voting precinct.
Sayno said they are still studying on how to do the registration, whether it will be done by district or anyone could just come to their office on the given dates. He said the registration will start 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
He said those who failed to register or transfer their registration should take the opportunity to register. The July 15-22 registration is not a "general registration." The Comelec will issue a separate resolution for the registration for the Sangguniang Kabataan.
Comelec Resolution 8218 states that those qualified to register must be at least 18 years old or who will turn 18 by Oct. 29. They should have resided for at least one year in the Philippines and at least six months in the area where they would be voting.
Sayno said the applicant will be required to present valid identification documents such as a current employee's ID, postal ID, student ID or library card, senior citizen's ID, driver's license, NBI or police clearance, passport, SSS or GSIS ID, PRC license or IBP ID.
Those who cannot present an ID may be identified, under oath, by any registered voter of the precinct or by any of the applicant's relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.
Sayno added that the applicant's name will be checked against the list of transferred or deactivated voters, after which he will be given an application form. It should be the applicant who will fill up the form. There are some cases where the applicant is not the one answering the form. This cause some errors on the applicant's data.
Sayno added the forms are for free. Comelec has the responsibility to reproduce the forms to accommodate all the applicants.
Sayno said all the applicants' data will be processed through the data-capturing machine (DCM). The DCM will contain the demographics and biometrics data of the applicant. The applicant should observe the proper procedures.
The resolution said if the applicant fails to submit to the DCM procedure due to his own fault, his application shall be disapproved. If the DCM breaks down and is not repaired by July 28, the application shall be approved.
The same resolution categorically states that those who are not qualified to register are those convicted of an offense punishable by at least one year imprisonment. While, persons declared insane or incompetent are also disqualified from registering.
Those judged guilty of crimes pertaining to disloyalty to the state such as rebellion and sedition, as well as firearms possession and other crimes against national security are also disqualified. These persons will only be allowed to register five years after serving their sentence, the resolution states.