Namfrel welcomes Comelec decision to resume voters registration for 2022 polls
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— The National Citi zens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) on Tuesday, August 18, welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to resume the registration of voters for the 2022 elections on September 1 nationwide, except in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or Modified ECQ.
In a statement ,the are "encouraging applicants NAMFREL also commended to download the the COMELEC for application forms from taking steps to implement w w w.comel ec.gov.ph," anti-COVID precautions, and "strongly recommended like preventing symptomatic that downloaded applicants from entering forms be filled Comelec premises, ensuring out before going to the physical distancing, COMELEC office for registration." requiring applicants to NAMFREL believes wear face masks and face that the COMELEC shields, and encouraging could improve the upcoming applicants to bring their registration process own pens. by implementing
Last August 15, the elements of their previous Comelec said that they iRehistro system, previously offered to OFWs, and expanding them nationwide.
Online submission of requirements
NAMFREL believes that Comelec could take the anti-COVID precautions further by making it a requirement to download and accomplish the forms, and for the applicants to bring their own writing materials, instead of being merely recommendations. The Comelec could also take the precautions even further, by exploring the possibility of digitally transforming the registration process, by allowing a voter registrant, using any electronic device like a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, to fill out a registration form online and submit the same electronically to the Comelec. Appointment system To further prevent the crowding of people at Com el ec offices, NAMFREL further urges the COMELEC to implement an online appointment system during the submission of requirements. As has been observed in previous registration activities at the Comelec offices or even in satellite registration locations, the Comelec can only accept a finite number of applications a day. An appointment system will help ensure that registrants would come to their respective Comelec offices only on the appointed day and time that they can be served. An online appointment system would not be new to Filipinos, as this is the kind of system being used in securing appointments for processing of passports and NBI clearances, among others.
NAMFREL is currently drafting a set of further recommendations for lawmakers and election administrators to help ensure that Filipinos are amply protected every step of the way as the country enters another election cycle.
The upcoming resumption of the registration of voters will be an important indicator of how the Comelec would handle the holding of the 2022 elections amidst a pandemic.
NAMFREL remains hopeful that starting with the registration, the Comelec would adopt processes that are efficient, cost effective, and have the utmost safety of Filipinos in mind, to invite confidence from the public and from polling staff that they would not be exposed to infection if they go out to vote or do their poll duties in 2022. (PR)