Bacolod Comelec urges early registration
BACOLOD CITY -- Bacolod City Comelec Officer Atty. Mavil Majarucon urged the new registrants to register early and not to wait for the deadline to prevent congestion and panic.
"As early as possible please register," Majarucon appealed.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to resume the continuing registration of voters on Dec.2, 2008 that will last until Dec. 15 next year.
"We will also accommodate transfers and correction of records," Majarucon added.
The poll body passed Resolution No. 8514 last Nov. 12 to adopt the use of biometrics technology in the registration for the next election. The move is intended to establish a "clean, complete, permanent and updated list of voters."
"Applications for registration, transfer of registration records, reactivation and changes/corrections of entries in the registration records/inclusion of registration records/reinstatement of name in the list of voters, shall be personally filed beginning December 2, 2008 to December 15, 2009 at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) of the district/city/municipality where the applicant resides from Monday to Friday, during regular office hours at 8 am to 5 pm," the resolution stated.
Through biometrics machines, the Comelec will capture the photographs, thumbprints and signatures of voters. The poll body will deploy one data-capturing machine in every office to facilitate the registration.
Majarucon urged the public not to take the "short cut" when they register to help flush out double and multiple registrants from the voter's lists.
"Many registered voters who transferred residence usually register again in their new place. This results in double and multiple registration, which compromises the integrity of the registration process," Majarucon said.
Under Sec. 12 of Republic Act 8189 or the Voter's Registration Act of 1996, any registered voter who has transferred to another city or municipality "may apply with the election officer of his new residence for the transfer of his registration records."
"Reactivation of records will start on January 20, 2009," Majarucon added.