‘Register Anywhere’ hubs accept voter reactivation applications

FILE: A female registrant reviews the form she filled up for the voter registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election inside a mall in Manila on Monday (Dec. 12, 2022). (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that is now accepting applications for those who want to reactivate their status as voters starting Thursday.

“All RAP sites will be accepting applications for reactivation of the deactivated voter records due to failure to vote in the last two elections,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a statement.

Last week, the poll body also expanded the coverage of RAP by allowing applications for the transfer of overseas voters back to the Philippines (Post to Local); of residents of the city/district, where the RAP sites are located; and of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs), who are new registrants or will update their records.

Initially, the project only accepts and processes applications for new registration; and transfer of registration records from another city/municipality/district.

RAP booths are set to resume operations this weekend (Jan. 14 to 15) and on Jan. 21 to 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in selected malls in Metro Manila, Bicol and Tacloban City.

These are at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City; SM City Sucat in Parañaque City; SM City Fairview in Quezon City; Robinsons Place Manila in Ermita; Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas, Quezon City; SM City Legazpi in Legazpi City; Robinsons Place Naga in Naga City; and Robinsons Place Tacloban in Tacloban City.

Aside from private establishments, the Comelec has also partnered with other government agencies as RAP sites, from Jan. 10 to 13 and 16 to 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Government Service Insurance System main office in Pasay City.

RAP booths would also be set up at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City and the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Jan. 25 and 26, respectively, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Under the RAP, a qualified applicant residing in the Philippines may register at the booths by submitting their application form, documentary requirements, and have their biometrics taken on-site.

The documents and captured data will be endorsed and transmitted by the recipient RAP teams to the Office of the Election Officer of the district/city/municipality having jurisdiction over the residence of the applicant.