Voters reminded on health protocols as registration resumes

FILE: Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James Jimenez (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – A day before the resumption of the voter’s registration, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday reminded the public that it is implementing modified registration procedures and protocols in connection with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) situation.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said they will be requiring applicants to wear face mask and face shield or they will not be allowed inside the Office of the Election Officer (OEO).

“No face mask and face shield, no entry,” he said in a statement.

Among the health and safety protocols that will be strictly implemented are the checking of body temperature before entry; physical/social distancing; sanitizing of hands and footwear; and limited number of registrants/transactions per day.

Filing of applications will start on September 1 and every Tuesdays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the OEO.

He added that there will be no satellite voters’ registration.

The poll body also encouraged applicants to download the application form from www.comelec.gov.ph and manually fill it out before going to the OEO in their city or municipality. They are also asked to bring their own pens.

However, the signature must be affixed before an Election Officer at the Comelec office.

On the day of registration, the Comelec said registrants will also be asked to accomplish the Health Declaration Form and sign it using their own pens.

They will also be required to sanitize their hands before and after using the signature pad and fingerprint scanner.

The poll body also reminded that face mask and shield are only allowed to be taken off for photograph-taking during the capturing of biometrics data.

They will be asked to leave the Comelec premises after the transaction as daily disinfection of all OEOs will be undertaken to ensure safety at all times.

The nationwide voter registration period started on January 20, 2020. It will run until September 30, 2021 in preparation for the May 2022 elections. It was suspended in March due to the pandemic and will resume on Tuesday.

Registrants must be at least 18 years of age on or before Election Day (May 9, 2022), must be a resident in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place where the applicant intends to vote for at least six months on or before Election Day.