Comelec, SM renew tie-up for satellite voter signup

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has renewed its partnership with another mall giant for voter registration inside its establishments.

Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the holding of voter registration inside SM malls nationwide.

She said some 81 SM malls will be the venue for the registration of voters for the May 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE).

Ampoloquio added that registration hours will depend on the coordination between the mall and the local Election Officer (EO) in the area.

“The time of registration will depend on the coordination with the local EO. Usually, they will take into consideration the time of mall hours,” she said in a virtual press briefing

Meanwhile, Tan said the partnership with the Comelec is renewed as they hosted the elections nine years ago.

“We are happy to host once again the registration in our malls similar to what we have done in 2012. We are one with the government in providing accessible sites for registration especially during this time when most areas and in stringent lockdown,” the SM official added.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said voters’ registration will only be held Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays.

“Registration on Sunday is very unlikely. Right now, we are already doing six days so let’s give the people a chance to take a rest,” he said.

Aside from SM malls, satellite voter registrations are also held in Ayala Malls and Robinsons Malls.

The nationwide voter registration will run until September 30.