Comelec to hold special voter registration for PDLs at NBP

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to conduct a special voter’s registration for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) on August 12 and August 13, 2024, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Monday.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said at least 2,431 PDLs will be allowed to participate in the special registration as their cases are still on appeal.

“Even if they are behind bars, unless convicted with finality, their constitutional right to suffrage must be upheld,” Catapang said in a press statement.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 9371, the following PDLs to register and cast ballot:

Those confined in jail or those formally charged for any crime/s and awaiting/undergoing trial

Those serving a sentence of imprisonment for less than one year

Those whose conviction of a crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted government such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms laws or any crime against national security or for any other crime is on appeal.

The special registration will start at 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The Comelec kicked off the seven-month voter registration period in time for the 2025 national and local elections in February. Latest data from the poll body showed the number of registered voters reached 65.9 million as of August 7. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News