MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday that voter registration is still postponed for the rest of the month in areas classified as modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
The Comelec announced on its Facebook page that from August 21 to August 31, there will be no voter registration in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bataan, or Laguna. NCR and Laguna will shift to the less strict MECQ starting Saturday while Bataan will be under MECQ starting August 23.
Satellite registration in barangays, malls, and other locations has also been suspended.
The issuance of voter certification by poll offices in certain locations will likewise be suspended during this time.
The Comelec, on the other hand, stated that registration continues in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) or modified GCQ (MGCQ), which includes satellite registration in malls, barangays, schools or universities, and other public areas.
“As per current guidelines, Saturdays are dedicated to satellite registration so that our field personnel can accommodate a higher number of registrants in more accessible and convenient places. However, the Offices of the Election Officer may conduct Saturday registration in their respective offices if going to malls, barangays and other satellite sites is not feasible under the guidelines,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.
The schedules of satellite registration will be posted on the Comelec’s official social media channels, as well as on the website, bulletin boards of the Offices of Election Officer (OEOs), and city or municipal halls, with notices to local representatives of political parties and citizens arms.
Previously, the Comelec extended voter registration hours to include Saturdays and holidays.
Beginning Monday, August 23, the new registration schedule will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays.
Meanwhile, in locations where voter registration is suspended due to ECQ or MECQ, the new registration schedule will take effect immediately once the quarantine classification is dropped to GCQ or MGCQ.
The nationwide voter registration deadline is on September 30.
