Comelec Cebu City registers 8K new voters in 11 days
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Cebu City registered some 8,000 new voters from September 6 to 17, 2021, following the resumption of voter registration in the city.
Comelec Cebu City North District Election Assistant II Omar Sharif Mamalinta said 3,601 new voters registered in the north district and another 4,466 new voters registered in the south.
The north district covers 44 barangays while the south district covers 36 barangays.
These voters registered through the offsite registration being conducted in six malls in the city this month.
The application of the new registrants would still have to go through the Election Registration Board for approval before the registrants become eligible to vote in the 2022 elections.
Mamalinta said the registration would continue to be held in the malls instead of the Comelec offices until deadline for registration on Sept. 30, to ensure that social distancing is observed.
Voter registration had been suspended after Cebu City was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) on Aug. 1 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Cebu City was under MECQ from Aug. 1 to Sept. 7, 2021. But the Comelec allowed the resumption of voter registration in places under MECQ on Sept. 6 following the Sept. 1. issuance of Comelec Resolution 10718.
The resolution allowed cities and towns under MECQ to conduct voter registration starting Sept. 6, from Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in a limited capacity.
In a related development, Mamalinta reminded those who are planning to seek elective posts in the 2022 national and local elections to prepare the necessary documents before the filing of their certificate of candidacy (COC) on Oct. 1 to 8.
Aside from their COC, those running for office would also have to submit to the Comelec their certificate of nomination and appointment (CONA).
Mamalinta also asked them to observe minimum public health standards when they file their COC to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including proper wearing of face masks and face shields, and observing physical distancing.
Under the guidelines set by Comelec, the aspiring candidates can file their COC personally or through an authorized representative with a sworn and signed authority.
The venue for filing the COC may be changed if the designated venue is not suitable based on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases guidelines. (PAC / CTL / MVE)