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Voter registration 'likely' to be extended, says Comelec spox


Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials are "likely" to extend voter registration amid clamor from the public and lawmakers, the poll body's spokesperson said Tuesday.

In a message to reporters, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body's en banc will meet on Wednesday to discuss the matter.

"The matter of extension of voter registration will be taken up by the en banc tomorrow, the 29th of September [2021]," he said.

"After consultation with COMELEC officials, and in consideration of the public clamor, it is likely that an extension of the period of voter registration will be granted."

The Senate and House of Representatives passed on third reading their versions of a bill seeking to extend the voter registration deadline to allow more eligible voters to register amid the continued suspensions during the pandemic.

Under the Comelec's schedule, voter registration is set to end on September 30.

Lawmakers have been calling for a monthlong extension, or until the end of October.

In a separate message to reporters, Senator Imee Marcos said she has been informed that the Comelec en banc will pass a resolution on Wednesday to extend the registration period to October 31.

"Maraming salamat, COMELEC! Director Elnas has just called me to inform us that the Commissioners enbanc will pass a resolution tomorrow extending the registration to October 31," Marcos said.   

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Meanwhile, during the budget plenary deliberations at the House of Representatives, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Ferdinand Gaite inquired if there will also be an extension on the overseas voter registration process.

Surigao del Norte 1st District Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II, who sponsored Comelec's P26.728 billion proposed budget, said the one-month extension is only for local voters.

"Ito pong sinasalang na extension ng voter registration bukas po aaprubahan ng en banc is for the local voters only. 'Yung sa overseas voter's baka one week lang na extension," Matugas said, confirming Jimenez's statement about the extension.

(The extension of voter's registration is only for local voters. The registration for overseas voters might be extended for only a week.)

Matugas, however, said the poll body could consider the call to extend it also for one month.  —with Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK/BM, GMA News

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