THE voter registration has been suspended by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from March 10 until March 31, 2020 as response to the growing threat to public health posed by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The suspension takes effect nationwide, encompassing voter registration conducted in all Comelec offices in districts, cities and municipalities, as well as all satellites registration activities, the commission announced Monday, March 9.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said online voter registration is now being considered as an alternative.

“Based on the advisory released by our central office, it is not only the offsite and satellite registration which will be suspended but even the ongoing registration here in our office. The suspension will cover our scheduled off-site registration supposed to be done next week at the Baguio City High School, Philhealth and at the Dona Nicasia Elementary School and Aurora Hill,” Baguio City election supervisor John Paul Martin said.

“We have informed those that requested for an offsite registration that because of the Covid-19 emergency, we have decided to postpone the registration. We formally announce to all that as of today March 10, we are suspending the conduct of voters registration so that we can abide by the health advisory of the health department to prevent from being affected by the said virus and we advise the public to take all necessary precaution to limit their exposure to the possibility of developing Covid-19,” Martin added.

Although the voters registration is temporarily suspended, other services provided for by Comelec such as the issuance of voters certification and documentation will continue.

In its previous offsite registration in the city, Comelec Baguio averages around 200 to 300 registrants which they consider as crowd drawing.

After March 31, Martin said they will be advising the public about the date of resumption and continuation of registration in all sites base on the day-to-day update of Covid-19 in the Philippines.

Comelec earlier resumed voter’s registration for the 2022 elections January 20 and is supposed to run until September 30, 2021. (NJN/SunStar Philippines)