Comelec eyes reviving online voters’ registration

FILE: A mother opts to bring her child to a voters’ registration site at a mall in Davao City on Tuesday (Jan. 24, 2023). Nationwide sign-up will end Jan. 31 in preparation for the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth) elections on Oct. 30. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking to bring back the online registration system (e-registration) once they resume voters’ sign-up.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the project has been implemented before.

“We already had an online registration before, so we will just intensify the e-register. It is almost certain that we will implement the e-register in the future,” he said in an interview on Monday.

Under the system, applicants will be able to file their applications online but will still have to visit local Comelec offices to take their oaths and submit biometrics data.

“One may submit (application) on the online platform and then he/she will be given a schedule when to go to the Comelec to take the oath of office and have pictures, fingerprints and signature taken,” he said. “Online submission but biometrics must be taken.”

Garcia said reintroducing the e-registration is aimed at giving the public more choices on how to register and will make the registration process faster.