MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the implementation of a stricter quarantine in Metro Manila will have an effect on the ongoing voter registration activities even though it has already reached its target of 4 million new voters.
“The return of NCR to a state of ECQ will undoubtedly have an impact on voter registration numbers. However, it bears remembering that the Comelec has, in fact, already exceeded expectations - and not just its own - for voter registration during a pandemic. More than 4 million newly eligible voters are already included in the voter rolls, and we have already blown past earlier and lower projections of the total number of voters registered for the 2022 National and Local Elections,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement on Friday.
Last month, the poll body reported that it has reached its target of 4 million new voters.
Jimenez said they are ready to follow the new restrictions that will be implemented by the government starting next week.
“When the appropriate authorities deem it safe to lift these current restrictions, the Comelec will promptly resume its services to the public. Until then, however, the Comelec will not shirk its role - however small that might be - in assuring the success of the country’s pandemic response,” he said.
He, however, has yet to respond whether voter registration activities will be suspended.
“Needless to say, the Comelec strives continuously to register more eligible citizens, but at this perilous juncture, the top priority should be the safety and health of the electorate,” Jimenez added.
The Comelec is currently conducting voter registration nationwide in connection with the May 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE).
The registration period is set to end on September 30.
On Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that Metro Manila will be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from Aug. 6 to 20 to arrest the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Delta variant. (PNA)
