Observe health and safety protocols, Comelec reminds new voter registrants

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday reminded the public to observe health and safety protocols during voter registration, which will resume on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

Filing of application forms will be from Tuesdays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO).

The nationwide voter registration period started on January 20. It will run until Sept. 30, 2021, in preparation for the May 2022 elections. However, it was suspended from March 9 to 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said there will be no satellite voter registration. Applicants were advised to download the application form from www.comelec.gov.ph and manually fill it out.

Jimenez reminded applicants not to sign the form first because "the signature must be affixed before the Election Officer at the Comelec office."

Registrants are encouraged to bring their own pens.

On the day of registration at the Comelec office, registrants must wear face masks and face shields. "No face mask and face shield, no entry" policy will be strictly implemented.

Foot baths and sanitation stations will be placed at the entrance of Comelec offices. The body temperature of the registrant will be taken.

Registrants must also accomplish the Health Declaration Form with their own pens.

Before and after using the signature pad and fingerprint scanner, registrants must sanitize their hands. They will be allowed to remove their masks and face shields only when their photos are taken for the capturing of biometrics data.

Physical distancing shall be observed.

After completing the registration process, registrants must immediately leave the Comelec premises.

As a measure against the spread of COVID-19, the number of registrants will be limited per day.

"Daily disinfection of all OEOs will be undertaken to ensure safety at all times," Jimenez said. —KBK, GMA News