Comelec extends voter listing suspension till April 30
VOTER registration in the National Capital Region (NCR) and its surrounding areas will remain suspended this month even after the government eased quarantine restrictions in the area.
The Commission on Elections opted to extend the suspension of voter registration in the NCR Plus, which includes Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna, while it remains under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until April 30.
The poll body said a similar suspension will be in effect in Abra, Quirino, and Santiago City (Isabela), which are also under MECQ until April 30.
“The Comelec Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) in Intramuros, Manila will be open to applicants with urgent travel needs only during the MECQ period. OFOV may be reached via its official Facebook page (fb.com/ overseasvotingph)and email addresses (overseasvoting@comelec. gov.ph or ov.concerns@comelec.gov. ph),” Comelec said in an advisory on Monday.
In other areas in the country that are under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ (MGCQ), Comelec said voter registration will continue from Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 3 pm.
Comelec started suspending voter registration in NCR Plus on March 29, 2021 after it was placed under ECQ as Covid-19 cases surged, overhwelming health care facilities.
The area was placed under MECQ effective April 12 after the government was able to put up additional hospital beds as well as isolation and quarantine facilities for Covid-19 patients.
Comelec expects an additional 4 million qualified voters before the deadline of the registration on September 3, 2021, to participate in the 2022 national and local elections.