THE Commission on Elections has not discussed any possibility to extend the voter registration for Eleksyon 2022 beyond its deadline despite the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila from Aug. 6 to 20.

“The Commission en banc has not — repeat NOT– discussed the possibility of extension of voter registration period,” said Comelec spokesperson Director James Jimenez.

This despite some lawmakers asking to extend the voter registration period especially as voter registration will be halted during the two-week strict lockdown.

The voter registration period will end on September 30, 2021.

Jimenez said voter registration for Eleksyon 2022 will end by August 5, as some areas, including Metro Manila, will be placed under ECQ. “Voter registration will continue until Thursday, in areas currently conducting voter registration operations. The walk-thru date still hasn’t been confirmed,” he said.

As of July, new voter registrants or those who had just reached 18 years old, surpassed 4.3 million.

In June, the Comelec said at least 60 million voters had already registered for next year’s national and local polls.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate urged to extend the voter registration deadline fur to the ECQ to be implemented in NCR and other areas.

“We must not let the COVID-19 pandemic become an obstacle for Pilipinos to exercise one of their basic democratic rights, the right to vote. Thus, we are calling on the Comelec to extend the deadline of voters’ registration,” Zarate said.

“The voters’ registration can at least be moved up to October 15 to compensate for the days they were closed due to the numerous lockdowns in different parts of the country and even nationwide,” Zarate appealed.

And Lee Ann P. Ducusin

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco