SO AS not to disenfranchise more than 20,000 voters in Sulu in the 2010 elections, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) governor Nur Misuari asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Monday to conduct a special registration in the province.

Misuari said the residents of the 19 municipalities in Sulu were not able to register because of the recent hostilities in the area.

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“Under these prevailing extra-ordinary conditions, a considerable number of new registrants were prevented and deprived of fair opportunity to be part of the Sulu electorate. As a result, about twenty to twenty five thousand residents in Sulu who are qualified to register as voters were prevented by their common circumstances to visit Comelec local office for purposes of registration,” stated Misuari, in his letter to Comelec chairman Jose Melo.

For his part, Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, who was approached by Misuari regarding his request, said they will discuss the issue before the Commission en banc on Tuesday.

The Comelec official admitted that if they approve the three-day special registration, it may set a precedent.

“Once we grant this, many will make the same request. But the purpose is for them because of the conflict in Mindanao. Talaga daw bombahan ng bombahan maraming hindi naka-register,” Tagle said.

He added that approving Misuari’s request may cause delay in the preparation of the automation polls.

“This may cause delay… I told him that.. because we are already making the book of voters …we will evaluate kung ‘yung sinasabi niyang rason ay valid or not.”

The 19 municipalities are: Jolo, Indanan, Parang, Maimbung, Talipao, Patikul, Pangutaran and Panglima (Second District) and Siasi, Pandami, Tapul, Lugus, Pata, Panamao, Panglima Estino, Panglima Omar, Luuk, Tongkil, and Kalinggalan Caluang. (FP/Sunnex)