Comelec holds special voter registration for 2025 BSKE for PDLs

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) conducted Monday a special voter registration for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Manila City Jail for the 2025 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia personally visited the satellite voter registration site, where 137 female PDLs and 186 male PDLs were expected to register for the first batch of registrants. 

“Dapat talaga residente sila hanggat maaari ng lugar kung san sila boboto para makapag-avail sila ng tinatawag na PDL voting,” said Garcia. 

(It should be that they residents of the areas where they will vote to avail of the PDL voting.)

“Pero…pwede naman namin ilipat yung registration kung saan talaga sila later on boboto. Ang importante maparehistro,” he said. 

(However, we can transfer their registration in areas where they will vote. What’s important is we have them registered.)

According to Garcia, PDLs are entitled to vote “until there is no final judgement of conviction.” The poll body also said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) recorded an 88% voter turnout for PDLs in the recent May 12 elections. 

“Ibig sabihin, ganun kataas ang interest ng mga kababayan natin bagamat sila ay di malaya. Ibig sabihin, nagnanais sila na pag lumaya na sila, o kahit di pa nakakalaya, magandang buhay at lipunan para sa kanilang minamahal sa buhay,” Garcia added. 

(This means they have a high interest in the elections despite their detainment. They also want a better life and society for their families even if they have yet to be free.)

The poll body started the ten-day nationwide voter registration for the 2025 BSKE on Friday, August 1. It is slated to run until August 10.

However, voter registration in Special Registration Anywhere Program (SRAP) sites will last until August 7. 

The Comelec set up RAP booths in various areas in Metro Manila including malls, hospitals, and airports. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News