WHEN push comes to shove, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) admitted Friday, September 24, that a one to two-week extension of the voter registration period for the May 2022 polls could be possible.
In a television interview, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez insisted on their refusal to extend the voter registration beyond September 30, but added that they are prepared to adjust when forced by lawmakers.
"The Comelec has long been saying that we won't extend. That's been our position from the very beginning. But if we are forced, we'll see what we can do," said Jimenez.
"If we talk about compromise, maybe we can still find a way for an extension of one to two weeks," he added.
The poll official insisted that extending voter registration will result in a domino effect in their poll preparations.
He said several activities rely on having a finalized number of registered voters.
"One of them is the completion of the Project of Precincts, which states the number of precincts and voters per precinct will there be," he said.
"It will also affect the start of the ballot printing because we cannot do it unless we finalize the number of registered voters," added Jimenez.
To note, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have filed similar bills compelling the poll body to grant a one-month extension of voter registration.
Lawmakers even threatened to cut the agency's 2022 budget in a bid to force the poll body to move the voter registration deadline.
But according to Jimenez, such an action will not only harm the Comelec, but also the general public.
"It's not just about the Comelec not getting money but the people not having elections, if ever, because they don't want to give funds. We hope it will factor in in their decision making," said Jimenez. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)