THE Davao City office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) first district said the postponement of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections allows a longer period for new voters to register.
Comelec Election Assistant Jonard Tambajador told SunStar Davao Wednesday, October 19, that there are still many eligible voters who were not able to register before the deadline.
On Tuesday, Communication Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag announced that President Rodrigo Duterte already signed the bill postponing the election, which is scheduled this coming October 31.
Duterte earlier said he supports the postponement as he fears that drug money will be used during these elections.
Tambajador said their office has already prepared all the necessary documents and action that are compiled needed for the supposed election this year.
Last July 30 was the last day of the registration, however, many were not able to get listed.
Following the announcement, the registration will now resume on November.
Tambajador said there are almost 300,000 registered voters in the first district.
Most of the unregistered individuals were affected by the “No Bio, No Boto” new policy of Comelec wherein people who were not able to undergo biometrics were deactivated.
“Marami pa ang hindi nakaboto and these people are expected to be the majority who will register when it resumed,” Trabajano said, referring to the people who are affected by the new policy.
Malacañang said the elections were supposed to be held on October 31, but would now be moved to October 23, 2017.