THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has approved the resumption of voter registration in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) beginning September 6, 2021.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a social media post Wednesday, September 1, 2021, that voter registration for the May 2022 elections will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays in MECQ areas. In-mall voter registration will also be allowed.
Areas under MECQ until September 7, 2021 are Metro Manila, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Bulacan, Bataan, Cavite, Lucena City, Rizal and Laguna in Luzon; Aklan, Iloilo Province, Iloilo City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City and Mandaue City in the Visayas; and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao.
In areas with less stringent quarantine restriction, Comelec offices are conducting voter registration up to 7 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays.
The Comelec has also approved the conduct of voter registration on Saturdays and holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., until the deadline on September 30, 2021.
As of August 23, Jimenez said 61.06 million citizens have registered as voters, higher than their projection.
"We set the expectation at 59 million. We blew past 60 million, and we're now - based on partial reports - at 61.06 million registered voters. (Marites Villamor-Ilano / SunStar Philippines)