More than 4M registered voters still without biometric data – Comelec

When the Commission on Elections (Comelec) opened the voter registration period in 2014, there were 9.6 million registered voters who had not had their biometric data taken.

As of April this year, the number had decreased to around 4.3 million.

According to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, this lower number may also still include voters who have already died, "ghost registrants," transferees, those convicted of a crime and Filipinos who have gone abroad.

The number also does not include those who have registered for the previous Sangguniang Kabataan election who will turn 18 on or before May 9, 2016, election day.

Because the voter registration for SK is different from the voter registration for the local and national elections, the Comelec enjoins all those turning 18 on or before election day to register at the Comelec office in their area of residence.

Biometrics refer to the registrant’s picture, fingerprint and signature, recorded by a computer during the registration period.

Voter registration is ongoing until Oct 31, 2015, from Sunday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — BM, GMA News