Comelec to partner with Robinsons malls in setting up satellite voter registration sites

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Robinsons Land Corporation to set up satellite voter registration booths in selected Robinsons malls across the country.

In a statement, the poll body said the MOA signing ceremony is scheduled on July 12.

“Our aim is to give the public an accessible and efficient registration experience and provide alternative satellite registration sites by opening registration booths in malls,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

“We are glad to once again partner with Robinsons Land Corporation in delivering effective public service ahead of the 2022 National and Local Elections,” he added.

The voter registration booths will be located in Robinsons malls in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, North Luzon, South Luzon, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.

Jimenez said once the malls have been identified and the schedules have been finalized, the registrants will be able to submit forms and documentary requirements and have their biometrics data taken in the satellite registration booths.

Comelec said the registration sites will only accept a limited number of applicant considering the mall hours.

It added that only applications from residents of the locality or from those who will transfer their registration to the locality will be accommodated.

“We will release the final list of mall registration schedule once available. But the public may contact their local COMELEC office directly to inquire about schedules specific to their city or municipality,” Jimenez said.

Registrants who have a QR code from the mobile application will be entertained if the locality where the mall is located is among the pilot areas for the mobile app, the poll body said.

In a recent House hearing, Comelec Deputy Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr. said they currently have only 18,945 satellite registration offices for the 2022 elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is significantly lower than 52,482 registration offices in 2019.

Earlier, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon told "The Mangahas Interviews" that millions of Filipinos have yet to register for the coming elections.

She noted that there are around four million Filipinos who will be 18 years old by May 9, 2022. So far, there are 3.5 million new voters who already registered with the Comelec.

Guanzon also stressed the need to encourage seven million Filipinos to register, after their names were erased from Comelec’s registry for their failure to vote in two consecutive elections.

As of June, the Comelec said there are 60,117,780 million registered voters, which consist of:

• 58,231,612 million existing registered voters
• 1,226,412 million newly registered voters and
• 816,183 thousand turning 18 years old on election day in May 2022 and thus eligible to vote

—KBK, GMA News