THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking to enlist some 1.5 million registrants during the 10-day registration period, which started on Wednesday, for the barangay elections.
"The registration for regular election, ang expected na kasali dito ay iyung mga nag-18 years old at yung mga hindi nakapagparehistro nung nakaraang halalan," said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez.
The poll official said the figure is achievable, citing the registrants who registered during the five-day extension period last December 2009 with some 300,000 applicants.
The registration process for the barangay elections started in all Offices of the Election Officer (OEO) nationwide.
The registration will be from Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until August 13.
Meanwhile, the first day of registration reported to be a lull, as only a handful of applicants availed of the opportunity to register.
"Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang Pilipino. First day. Unfortunately, nakikita pa rin natin na konti lang ang lumalapit," Jimenez said.
But he noted the initial day should not be a gauge for the course of the registration.
"Still, patuloy pa rin natin na inaanyayahan ang mga kababayan natin na magpa-rehistro ng maaga," said Jimenez.
Comelec data showed that in the last May 10 polls, there were a total of 50,850,938 registered voters in the country. (FP/Sunnex)