20 million expected to vote in SK polls —Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting an estimated 20 million voters for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections this May 14, as the age bracket of those who are eligible to vote in this category has been expanded to 30 years old.

"Mas maraming boto ang bibilangin. Sa SK elections, we're looking at about 20 million voters now, kung saan dati ang average mo, mga two, three, four million lang 'yan kasi 15 to 17 [years old] lang dati," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview on News To Go on Monday.

"E ngayon, since expanded na ang electorate ng SK, 15 to 30 [years old], then about 20 million [voters] nga 'yan," he added.

Jimenez explained that voters whose ages range from 15 to 30 years old are still considered "youth," hence making them eligible to vote for the SK elections.

However, those who can actually run for SK posts should be only 18 to 24 years old.

"So 'yung younger youth or younger adults, sila 'yung pwedeng tumakbo under the SK," he said.

Because of this new system, voters aged 18 to 30 years old will be receiving two ballots, to allow them to vote both for the barangay and SK, Jimenez said.

"Ang mga botante from 18 to 30 years old will be receiving two ballots, one to allow them to vote for SK, the other to vote for the barangay," he said.

"Voters older than that will just get one ballot. Voters younger than that, 15 to 17 [years old], will just get one ballot as well, 'yung SK ballot," he added.

The May 2018 barangay and SK elections have already been pushed back twice, after being previously postponed from October 2016 and October 2017.

While the election period has officially started on April 14, the campaign period will begin only on May 4 until May 12. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News