Comelec to resume voter registration for BSKE in August

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to resume the voter registration for this year's Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) next month, poll chief George Erwin Garcia said Wednesday.

Garcia said the ten-day nationwide registration for BSKE will start from August 1 to August 10, 2025. 

"Napag-usapan na ng en banc ang pagre-resume ng registration of voters para sa darating na BSKE," Garcia said.

(The Comelec en banc decided to resume the voter registration for BSKE.)

"Itong pagpaparehistro, inuulit natin, August 1-10 natin gagawin para magkaroon tayo ng botante lalo sa SK na 15 to 17 years old na boboto para sa BSKE ng December 1," he added.

(The registration will start from August 1-10 for voters aged 15-17 years old.)

The Comelec initially set the voter registration for BSKE in July but was suspended following the ratification of a bicameral conference committee report seeking to extend the term of office for barangay and SK officials from three to four years, and postpone the elections to the first Monday of November 2026. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  has yet to decide whether to approve or veto the proposed measure. 

"Napakahirap po kung matuloy bigla sa December 1 o biglang may restraining order para ituloy ang elections. Wala tayong botanteng makakaboto ng kabataan kasi 15 to 17 kinakailangan iparehistro sa buong bansa. Kaya naman lakas-loob na lang po namin gagawin," said Garcia.

(It would be difficult for us if the BSKE pushed through or if we receive a TRO. There might be no voters aged 15-17 years old.)

"Kaya pa po namin yan. Mahahabol namin sa timeline. Kung di man matuloy ang December 1, wala naman problema yun at least may naparehistro tayo," he added.

(We can still include this in our timeline. Should the BKSE be postponed, at least the voters registered.)

Meanwhile, the poll chief said the Comelec will implement the register anywhere program (RAP) for the BSKE voter registration in Metro Manila. 

"Magkakaroon tayo sa registraion anywhere, anytime, sa ilang pili na hospitals, lugar, kung nasaan ang mga call centers, bus terminals at iba pang matataong lugar," he said.

(There will be a registration anywhere, anytime program in crowded areas such as hospitals, and bus terminals.)

"At least dito muna sa NCR. Parang pilot test para later on 'pag tayo ay nagkaroon ng mahabang registration sa buong bansa, gagawin na rin natin sa lugar na matatao," he added. 

(We will implement that here in NCR. Like a pilot test.)

The 2025 BSKE is set on December 1, 2025. — Sundy Locus/RSJ, GMA Integrated News