COMELEC: Mall voter registration is back
Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women soon won't have to worry about having to go to the field offices of the Commission on Elections just to register to vote, as the COMELEC yesterday authorized the holding of satellite registration activities in malls, nationwide including Central Luzon.
"Holding registration activities in malls has always been appreciated by the public. It makes the process more accessible and comfortable for them. Senior citizens and PWDs are especially benefited because waiting in malls is typically less stressful," COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez said.
Prior to the issuance of COMELEC Resolution No. 10417, dated 5 September 2018, satellite registration activities were held mostly in barangay halls and catered primarily to registrants living in the immediate vicinity. Will mall registration, the process will become more convenient and accessible to a greater number of registrants. This is in keeping with the COMELEC's commitment to promoting a gender sensitive registration system which is inclusive, participatory, and nondiscriminatory, while giving preference to members of vulnerable sectors.
The COMELEC however, clarified that not all malls would be eligible to host satellite registration activities. The election management body cautioned that "no satellite registration shall be conducted in a mall owned, leased, or occupied by any officer of the government, or incumbent city/municipal/barangay official, or of any person who is related to any city/municipal/barangay official within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or leader of any political party, group or faction, nor in any building or surrounding premises under the actual control of any political party or religious organization.
During registration, an express lane will be provided for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, heavily pregnant women, and for others who might have need of such accommodation. Day care centers will likewise be set up for the benefit of women who care for small children.
The current registration period began on July 2, and will run until September 29. Applications for registration, transfer, transfer with reactivation, reactivation, change/ correction of entries, and inclusion/reinstatement of records in the list of voters, will be accepted.
Applicants are reminded to bring the originals and photocopies of their valid identification cards. In the case of applications for change of status and correction of entry, a copy of their marriage contract from the Philippine Statistics Authority, or appropriate court order is necessary.