Comelec eyes implementing e-registration for BSKE voter registration

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is mulling to implement e-register or online registration in October should the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) be formally postponed. 

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia made the remarks on Monday following reports of some registrants fainting during the ten-day nationwide voter registration last week. 

“Dapat meron na tayong online registration,” Garcia said. “Mayroon na tayong mandato na kaya lang di siguro na-highlight. Amin pong patitibayin at paiigtingin ang e-register natin.” 

(We already have the online registration system as well as the mandate for it. However, it was not highlighted. We will reinforce and strengthen it.)

Under the e-registration system, Garcia said applicants will submit their forms online. They will then be provided with a scheduled date to visit their local Comelec offices and have their photos, fingerprints, and oath taken. 

“Almost sure na ito ay ipapatupad natin, ‘yung e-register. Subalit kailangan pa rin pumunta sa local Comelec para lang magpa-picture, sign, at kuhanan ng fingerprints,” he said.

(It is almost sure that we will implement the e-register but they still need to visit their local Comelec offices for photos, signature, and fingerprints.)

“Kailangan namin yun para sa biometrics at maikumpara namin sa existing registration,” Garcia added. 

(We need that for biometrics and to compare them with the existing registration.)

More than 2.7 million Filipinos registered during the voter registration for the 2025 Baranggay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) — higher than the number of applications for the recent polls. 

Garcia reiterated this is “the most successful voter registration in history” and said 65%-67% of the registrants were youth. 

“Overall, generally peaceful ang ating registration. Napaka-matagumpay po ito. Again, inuulit natin, ito ang pinakamatagumpay na registration sa kasaysayan ng buong Commission, ng registration, ng ating election,” he said.

(Overall, the registration period [was] generally peaceful. It is a victory for us. It is also, again, the most successful registration in the history of the Comelec, our registration, and our elections.)

“Nakakatuwa, sampung araw almost 2.8M ang nagpa-rehistro…Nalagpasan pa ang registration na ginawa namin nitong nakaraang taon,” he added. 

(We’re happy that almost 2.8M registered during the ten-day period. That surpasses our registration last year.)

The ten-day nationwide voter registration for the 2025 BSKE started on Friday, August 1 until Sunday, August 10. However, voter registration in SRAP sites was opened until Thursday, August 7. 

Earlier, the Comelec said it will resume the voter registration in October to July next year should the BSKE be formally moved following the signing of a proposed bill seeking to extend the term of office for the barangay and SK officials from three to four years, and postpone the elections to the first Monday of November 2026.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced he will sign the proposed measure.

The 2025 BSKE is initially set on December 1, 2025. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News