MANILA – Voter registration in National Capital Region (NCR) and four neighboring provinces will resume on September 1, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Tuesday.
This came as President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the metropolis and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under general community quarantine (GCQ) from August 19 until August 31.
“So that’s it. NCR is back in GCQ, along with Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal. #VoterReg will resume in those areas and others not under MECQ or ECQ, on #September1,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a Twitter post.
Other areas placed under GCQ are Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Quezon in Luzon; Iloilo City, Cebu City, Lapu Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, the municipalities of Minglanilla and Consolacion in Cebu province for the Visayas.
The rest of the Philippines are placed under modified GCQ.
Over the weekend, the poll body announced that the voter registration will resume beginning next month.
In Comelec Resolution No. 10674, promulgated on August 12, the resumption of the nationwide voter listing has been set on September 1, except in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or modified ECQ.
It said in areas currently under ECQ or MECQ, voter registration will automatically resume once the quarantine status is either downgraded to GCQ, MGCQ, or if quarantine is lifted entirely.
Applications for registration may be submitted from Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO).
The Comelec said anti-coronavirus disease (Covid-19) precautions will be implemented, such as limiting the number of people to be allowed inside the Comelec Office to ensure compliance with physical distancing requirements, requiring applicants to wear face masks and face shields, and encouraging them to bring their own pens.
Comelec offices nationwide will conduct daily disinfection and decontamination of their premises as well as the voter registration machine and peripherals, furniture and equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces, to ensure a safe environment at all times.
The nationwide voter registration period started on January 20. It will run until Sept. 30, 2021, in preparation for the May 2022 elections.
It was suspended several times since March due to the pandemic. (PNA)
