MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar ordered all police officers on Friday to stay alert in preparation of a large turnout of voter registrants on the final two days of the registration deadline.
“I have placed all police offices on alert for the last day of the voter’s registration in anticipation of large numbers of people lining up at the different voter registration hubs nationwide at the last minute,” Eleazar said in a statement.
This came despite reports of overcrowding in some registration sites due to an influx of registrants, which may result in superspreader occurrences for coronavirus disease 2019 because to a lack of physical distancing.
Eleazar urged people going to the various voter registration sites to observe health standards as well as other rules and regulations for their own safety.
The extended voter registration period for next year’s elections will conclude on Saturday at 5 p.m.
“I have also directed all police commanders to enhance visibility patrols and anti-crime operations around these sites, including other public areas, to deprive criminals the opportunity to strike or prey on our kababayans,” he pointed out.
Legislators had previously requested an extension of voter registration, claiming that nearly six months of registration had been lost when the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic started and quarantine measures were enacted.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11591 on September 30, extending the voter registration deadline for the May 9, 2022, national and local elections by 30 days.
