Balloons, march mark start of voters’ registration for 2016 polls

Balloons and a walk highlighted early Tuesday the start of the voters' registration for the May 2016 national and local elections.

 

In Ilocos Norte, the Commission on Elections released blue balloons into the air to kick off an activity marking the event, GMA News' Tina Panganiban-Perez reported.

@Walkah_Walkah now in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/RItql2zgqA

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) May 6, 2014

 

A Vine video showed the Comelec releasing the balloons to mark the start of "Walkah Walkah," a walk that seeks to drum up awareness and support for the registration.

.@COMELEC launches balloons to mark the formal opening of @Walkah_Walkah. | via @tinapperez http://t.co/aVKmgea5w2

— GMA News (@gmanews) May 6, 2014

 

Comelec personnel in Laoag City also processed the application forms of early registrants, Panganiban-Perez reported.

 

Another Vine video she posted showed a band joining the "Walkah Walkah."

A band joins the @Walkah_Walkah. | via @tinapperez http://t.co/ucS4VDT30n

— GMA News (@gmanews) May 6, 2014

 

The Comelec's "Walkahwalkah" Instagram account showed several people taking part in the Laoag City walk.

 

Meanwhile, in Manila, early birds lined up at the Comelec's Manila office for the voters' registration, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported.

 

A photo posted by dzBB's Juego on Twitter showed voters lining up at the Comelec's Arroceros Street office.

.@COMELEC-Arroceros sa Maynila, maagang dinagsa para sa unang araw ng voter's registration. | via @glenjuego @dzbb pic.twitter.com/ijxd9Z8w9i

— GMA News (@gmanews) May 6, 2014

 

The Comelec on Tuesday opened the registration for voters for the May 9, 2016 elections. The registration runs until Oct. 31, 2015. 

Register early
 

On Monday, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez urged first-time voters and previously registered voters who need to give their biometrics data to take advantage of the early start of the registration period. 
 

"Kung hihintayin natin na du'n tayo sa dulo magpaparehistro, magsisiksikan tayo diyan. Malamang sa hindi, mahihirapan kayo, baka mawalan kayo ng gana lalo. Bakit hindi niyo gawin ngayon habang maaga?" Jimenez said in a live interview on GMA News TV's "News To Go."

 

Comelec offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jimenez said, and will be closed only on either Friday or Saturday.

 

Jimenez also said voters should head to the Comelec office of the city or municipality he wishes to vote in and bring one valid ID, like a driver's license, government/company/school ID, or passport.

 

Voters may also be asked to present supporting documents (e.g., birth certificate or proof of billing) if there are issues regarding their personal data or address.

 

The Comelec has intensified its invitation to voters to register for the 2016 polls. Some 9.6 million registered voters have no biometric records while some 3 million new registrants are expected to sign up. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News