Would-be voters in Caloocan complain of registration forms already with thumbmarks

Some residents in a Caloocan village were complaining of voter registration forms that already contained thumbprints to ensure an alleged seamless process.

According to Ian Cruz's "24 Oras" report, the complainant in Barangay 168 in Deparo, Caloocan bared that a certain individual allegedly promised them a faster registration process by skipping steps 1 to 2 of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) procedure.

Aside from this, the complainant said the individual promised them that there will be no long lines at the registration.

"Bale pagpunta po namin doon, biometrics and picture na lang daw po ang kailangan, (For our registration, we will only undergo biometrics and picture taking.)," she said.

She was not able to continue her voter registration process but her relatives, who went to the Comelec office, reported that the conditions were not met.

There were still long lines and what's worse, their registration forms already had thumbmarks that were done by someone else.

The complainant also said their contact person was coordinating with a barangay official, who allegedly had connections with the poll body.

"Nireklamo po namin. Tapos ang sinabi na yun sa kanila po nanggaling na yun daw po ang proseso na napagagreehan na gagawin para mapabilis ang parehistro sila na raw po ang maglalagay ng thumbmark on behalf of registrant," she explained.

(We complained about it and they said the process will be faster if they will be the ones who will put the thumbmark on behalf of the registrant.)

However, Barangay 168 chairperson Cresy del Rosario denied that they are giving special privileges to residents.

She added that they are not implementing "instant" registration for their constituents.

"Wala po tayong kinakausap o kinocontact sa Comelec para mapabilis ng proseso. Hindi binibigyan ng pribilehiyo ang residente. (We are not talking to the Comelec to make the process faster. We give no privileges.)," Del Rosario said.

Moreover, lawyer Ma. Anne Gonzales, election officer in  Caloocan District 1, bared that they are not coordinating with their barangay especially as the voter registration's deadline was extended to October 30.

It is also impossible to skip the steps because Comelec officials will need to search the registrant's name first during the first step.

She also advised the public to coordinate with Comelec personnel only for registration concerns.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News