VOTER REGISTRATION. Dabawenyos queue up during the resumption of voter registration at the Comelec office in Magsaysay Park, Davao City on Feb. 15, 2024). Registration will be held, Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays (except March 28-30), until Sept. 30. (PNA file photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)
MANILA – The voters’ registration for the May 2025 midterm polls has reached nearly a million applicants since the sign-up period started three weeks ago.
The latest data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as of Tuesday showed that 910,918 have registered from Feb. 12 to March 4.
Calabarzon has the highest number of applicants with 165,702.
It is followed by National Capital Region with 140,638; Central Luzon with 98,976; Central Visayas with 70,972; and Davao Region with 55,315.
Cordillera Administrative Region with 10,346; Mimaropa with 22,069; and Caraga with 24,331 have the lowest turnout so far.
The poll body is looking to register some three million voters during the seven-month voter registration period which ends on Sept. 30.
Last week, Comelec chair George Garcia said the public's response to the ongoing voter registration is overwhelming, saying the numbers are "highly unusual and extraordinary."
He attributed the high numbers to the expansion of the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) across the country.
Any qualified applicant residing anywhere in the Philippines may register at RAP booths by submitting an application form and documentary requirements and have their biometrics taken on-site. (PNA)
