Biometrics validation for 2016 polls to start July 1 - Comelec

This early, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is calling out to the over 9 million registered voters with incomplete biometrics data to update their records for the 2016 elections. 

 

Validation of registration for "voters whose biometrics data have not been captured or those who have incomplete biometric data" will start on July 1, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement. 

 

Biometrics refer to the registrant’s picture, fingerprint and signature recorded by a computer during the registration period. The system supposedly helps the Comelec in purging the final voters' list of multiple registrants, who have been used by unscrupulous politicians to garner more votes in their favor.

 

The Comelec said a total of 9,018,256 registered voters who do not have biometrics data or have incomplete information in the system. 

 

Those who fail to update their biometrics records will not be able to vote for the 2016 national presidential elections, according to the recently passed Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act. 

 

The removed voters may reactivate their registration only after the 2016 polls, pursuant to the Voter's Registration Act of 1996.

 

According to Comelec Resolution No. 9721 promulgated June 26, "It is the policy of the Commission to establish a clean, complete, permanent, and updated list of voters through the adoption of biometrics technology (digital photograph, fingerprints and signature) using the Voter Registration Machine (VRM)."

 

Voters may register or update their biometrics records with their city or municipality's Office of the Election Officer from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

 

The Comelec said it will also set up satellite offices to "accommodate the expected volume of registered voters who are going to validate their registration records."

 

Voters are reminded to bring the following during the validation:

 

— Marc Cayabyab/RSJ, GMA News