REGISTRATION. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Albay personnel pose with Albay election supervisor Maria Aurea Bo-Bunao (3rd from left) during the opening of Register Anywhere Program site at a mall in Legazpi City last April 1, 2024. Comelec-Bicol confirmed that 323,340 inactive registered voters will be considered deactivated starting April 15. (Photo courtesy of Comelec-Albay)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed on Monday that 323,340 inactive registered voters in the Bicol Region will be considered deactivated starting April 15 this year.
In an interview, Comelec Albay election supervisor Maria Aurea Bo-Bunao said the registered voters will be deactivated for failure to participate in two consecutive elections.
Based on the data provided, among the six provinces in the region, Camarines Sur has the highest with 120,727; followed by Albay--66,676; Masbate--56,502; Sorsogon--36,202; Camarines Norte--26,246; and Catanduanes--16,987.
"All deactivated voters will receive a notice from the different Comelec offices. Since inactive sila, (Since they are inactive) they cannot get voter certificates as proof of their identity. They cannot get involved in any election-related activities, particularly in the upcoming May 2025 National and Local Elections," Bunao said.
She said those who wish to reactivate and participate in the upcoming election are welcome to visit Comelec offices.
"Mas gusto natin madami ang maka exercise ng karapatan nila makaboto kaya natin ito ginagawa para maayos nila ang registration nila sa atin opisina. Madami na po tayong ginagawang hakbang para mas madali maka access ang ating mga kababayan sa ating opisina tulad ng mga registration sa mga malls, paaralan at pagbukas ng ating mga opisina pag holidays (We want more people to be able to exercise their right to vote, so we did this so that they can properly register with our office. We are taking many steps to make it easier for our citizens to access our office, such as registrations in malls, schools and opening our offices during holidays),” she said.
Bunao said the deactivated voters have enough time to coordinate with their offices.
"Wag na po nila antayin na sa huling araw ng registration period sila mag aayos ng registrations nila (They should not wait for the last day of the registration period to arrange their registrations). We are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays and even on holidays to accommodate registrants," she said.
She said additional sites for the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) are ready to accept clients in Albay.
"In Albay, there are several scheduled RAP in different barangays. Apart from SM Legazpi City, Metro Gaisano Mall is also now a designated site for RAP. The program is not limited to new voter registration, but also for reactivation, transfer within or from other areas, correction of entries, reinstatement, and transfer of registration from overseas to local," she added. (PNA)
