Suspension of voter registration extended till August 31

The Comelec suspended voter registration activities in all its local offices last March 9 until March 31 due to the pandemic. (File Photo By Elmer B. Domingo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended the suspension of voter registration until August 31.

“It is suspended up to August 31. Our field personnel requested for the extension so as to ensure their safety and the safety of the public. We agreed,” Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said in an interview on Friday.

Guanzon, however, said they are hoping that the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis has eased by that time.

“By the end of August 31, we hope that the Covid pandemic would have ebbed,” Guanzon added.

The Comelec suspended voter registration activities in all its local offices last March 9 until March 31 due to the pandemic.

In an order on March 27, it was extended again to April 30 because of the extension of the enhanced community quarantine.

Five days before the April deadline, the Comelec said voter registration activities would still be suspended until June 30.

The nationwide voter registration period started on January 20, 2020.

It will run until September 30, 2021 in preparation for the May 2022 elections.