Long lines during registration? It's all 'hakot,' says Comelec chief

Seeing the long lines of Quezon City (QC) residents opting to register for the 2013 midterm elections, Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. had one thing to say - "Hakot."

 

"Hakot lahat 'yan," Brillantes commented on the long queue of about 600 people during his visit on the voter's registration site at the Quezon City Hall on Friday, a holiday.

 

By hakot, the poll chairman was referring to the usual practice by politicians of renting a vehicle and then brining residents to register for the elections. The practice is also done during election day.

 

"Warning lang po sa mga pulitiko. Huwag naman natin gawin ule ito. Kami naman, nagkakaintindihan na gawain natin ito noon eh. Huwag naman nila gawin saken," Brillantes — who was an election lawyer for 20 years before becoming Comelec chief — told reporters. The Comelec chief said he well knows this scheme with his job before as a lawyer helping politicians. "Alam kong gawain 'yun ng mga politiko sa 20 taon ko (as election lawyer)."

 

He said the "hakot" system contributed to the long lines of registrants during the last days of the sign-up period. By 9 a.m., election officers had already cut off the line at 600 people.

 

Although the hakot system boosts the number of registrants, many of which are illegitimate voters who only add up to the long line of legitimate registrants, Brillantes said.

 

"Ang hindi ko lang gusto, 'yung manghahakot ka at hindi naman legitimate 'yung mga botante. Gumugulo lang sa proseso," he added.

 

The registration process accepts new registrants, and those who would validate and activate their voting license.

 

The registration period ends on October 31. Brillantes said there  will be no extension.

 

About 48 million have so far registered for the 2013 elections, according to the Comelec chief. Comelec is expecting 49 to 50 million registrants.

 

Over 56.2 million make up the projected voting population during the 2010 automated elections. Of this, 90.22 percent or 50.7 million voted. — Marc Cayabyab/RSJ, GMA News