(UPDATE – 9/6/2021) — Voter applicants in areas under modified enhance community quarantine (MECQ) may file their registration forms before COMELEC offices from September 6 until September 30, 2021.

A registered voter yet? If you’re 18 and have resided in the country for at least a year, then prepare the following requirements and register as a voter for upcoming elections.

There are certain requirements for applicants who want to file an application for registration as a voter. These requirements are embodied in Section 9 of Republic Act No. 8189 and stated by the Commission in Section 5 of COMELEC Resolution No. 10549.

Who may register?

Any Filipino citizen who is not yet a registered voter may apply for registration, provided he/she possesses the following qualifications:

1. At least eighteen (18) years of age (on or before May 9, 2022, National and Local Elections);
2. A resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein he/she proposes to vote, for at least six (6) months (immediately preceding the May 9, 2022, National and Local Elections); and
3. Not otherwise disqualified by law.

Any person who has not reached the required voting age or period of residence on the day of registration but will possess such qualifications (on or before the May 9, 2022, National and Local Elections), may register as a voter. However, the reception of their applications shall commence only on May 10, 2021 (at least one year prior to election day).

What are the disqualifications?

The following are disqualified or ineligible from filing applications for registration:

1. Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment for not less than one (1) year, such disability not having been removed by plenary pardon or amnesty;
2. Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by a competent court or tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duly-constituted government, such as, rebellion, insurrection, violation of the firearms laws, or any crime against national security unless restored to his/her full civil and political rights in accordance with law; and
3. An insane or incompetent person as declared by competent authority unless subsequently declared by proper authority that such person is no longer insane or incompetent.

Any person disqualified to register under paragraphs (a) and (b) above shall automatically reacquire the right to register and vote after the expiration of five (5) years service of sentence.

What are the requirements needed?

An eligible voter has to establish his/her identity upon filing his/her application. He/she may present any of the following valid identification documents:

• Employee’s identification card (ID), with the signature of the employer or authorized representative;
• Postal ID;
• PWD Discount ID;
• Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority;
• Senior Citizen’s ID;
• Driver’s license;
• NBI clearance;
• Passport;
• SSS/GSIS ID;
• Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID;
• Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) License;
• Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs; and
• Any other valid ID.

In the absence of any of the above-mentioned identification documents, the applicant may be identified under oath by any registered voter of the precinct where he/ she intends to be registered, or by any of his/her relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. No registered voter or relative shall be allowed to identify more than three (3) applicants.

Community Tax Certificates (cedula) and PNP clearance shall not be honored as valid identification documents for purposes of registration.

If the applicant fails to establish his/her identity by any of the aforementioned methods/documents, he/she shall not be issued an application form, nor shall his/her pre-accomplished application form be accepted.

Moreover, the applicant also needs to accomplish the application form which will be given by the commission.

What information does the applicant need to comply with?

The eligible applicant shall fill in the following data presented in the application form:

1. Name, surname, middle name, and/or maternal surname;
2. Sex;
3. Date, and place of birth;
4. Citizenship;
5. Civil status, if married, name of spouse;
6. Profession, occupation or work;
7. Periods of residence in the Philippines and in the place of registration;
8. Exact address with the name of the street and house number for location in the precinct maps maintained by the local office of the Commission, or in case there is none, a brief description of his residence, sitio, and barangay;
9. A statement that the applicant possesses all the qualifications of a voter;
10. A statement that the applicant is not a registered voter of any precinct; and
11. Such information or data as may be required by the Commission.

You may also download the application form and fill up in advance, click here to download. Accomplish three (3) copies, and remember that it should only be signed and thumb marked before the EO.

The application for registration shall contain three (3) specimen signatures of the applicant, clear and legible rolled prints of his left and right thumbprints, with four (4) identification size copies of his latest photograph, attached thereto, to be taken at the expense of the Commission.

Before the applicant accomplishes his application for registration, the Election Officer shall inform him of the qualifications and disqualifications prescribed by law for a voter, and thereafter, see to it that the accomplished application contains all the data therein required and that the applicant’s specimen signatures, fingerprints, and photographs are properly affixed in all copies of the voter’s application.

Where to register?

Accordingly, registration should take place in any of the local COMELEC offices or the Offices of the Election Officer (OEO). Every district, city, or municipality has at least one, which is usually located at or near the city or municipal hall. If you do have any idea where your local COMELEC office is located, you may refer to the COMELEC Field Offices Directory for information or contact your local government unit (LGU).

Moreover, under Section 8 of COMELEC Resolution No. 10549, every barangay shall have at least one (1) special satellite registration office. Any interested group may request for this, which shall be conducted in barangay halls, public/private schools, commercial establishments, and other public places within the city/municipality to ensure wider voter participation.

The following conditions for the satellite registration shall be considered:

• For Person Deprived of Liberty;
• Person with Disabilities (PWDs);
• Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs/IPs);
• Senior Citizens (SCs);
• Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) registrants

To confirm the conduct and schedule of special satellite registration in your area, you may inquire with the following offices:

• Local COMELEC office;
• Provincial COMELEC office, which has jurisdiction over your city/municipality;
• Regional COMELEC office, which has jurisdiction over your city/municipality and province; and
• The Election and Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD) of the COMELEC main office.

What are the registration procedures?

1. A qualified applicant need only to appear personally at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO), the local COMELEC office.
2. The applicant’s identity and residence will be verified. (Bring a valid ID with photograph and signature.)
3. The applicant’s status of registration will also be verified. This may be done using a computer application at the OEO.
4. After successful verification of the applicant’s identity, he (or she) shall be given three (3) copies of the application forms to fill up.
5. The applicant’s biometrics will then be digitally captured using the Voter Registration Machine (VRM) by an authorized VRM Operator.
6. An Acknowledgment Receipt will be given to the applicant afterward.

Visit comelec.gov.ph or their official Facebook Page for more information and updates.

– WhatALife.ph

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