Registered voters urged to check status with Comelec

Previously registered voters are encouraged to check their status with the local election offices to ensure that they are still eligible to vote in the 2010 automated elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said voters should not rely so much on the verification program of the poll body’s Web site as it is not yet completely updated. “That is not completely updated because the cleansing of the voter’s list is ongoing," he said, adding that they would only have a final list of voters after the registration period ends on October 31. Jimenez said voters who did not participate in the last two elections were automatically removed from the list. He however assured that previously registered voters who haven’t had their biometrics taken will still be able to vote next year. “Registered voters who haven’t had their biometrics need not panic. They can still vote in 2010." More than half of the 45 million registered voters are yet to submit their biometrics using the poll body’s data capturing machines, according to Jimenez. “So long as your name is included in the voters list, you will be allowed to vote," he said, adding that voters’ identification cards are also not required on election day. - GMANews.TV