Deactivated voters
DON’T look now, but only 600,000 of the nation’s 7.3 million deactivated voters have registered anew to be able to participate in next year’s national and local elections.
But many of the remaining deactivated voters are expected to register again on or before September 30, when the registration of voters for the May 9 polls ends.
Under the calendar of activities of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the eight-day filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) starts on Friday (October 1).
Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, who is set to retire next year, said the poll body deactivates registered voters for failure to participate in two consecutive elections.
The 7.3 million deactivated voters were not able to vote in the 2016 presidential polls and 2019 off-season elections, according to Commissioner Guazon.
On her Twitter account, the highly-articulate lady COMELEC excutive encouraged the country’s new and deactivated voters to register now to avoid the usual rush.
Applicants may file their application for registration before the Office of Election Officer in the city/municipality where they intend to vote on May 9, Guazon added.
Local COMELEC offices across the country are open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Since the country’s top two political posts are up for grabs in next year’s political exercise, the voter turnout on election day is expected to be higher than the 2019 elections.
The poll body registered a 75 percent and 84 percent voter turnout in the 2019 and 2016 polls, respectively.
