Qualified voters will now have more time to register for the May 2022 polls.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said all Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) nationwide will be open to receive applications for voter registration from Tuesdays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
OEOs previously accepted applicants for voter registration from Mondays to Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In a statement Sunday, the poll body said this is to “help bolster voter registration turnout.”
The new schedule will be implemented beginning Monday.
Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon last month said they are behind their four million target of new registrants.
Data from the poll body showed that there are 1,117,528 applicants for voter registration as of Jan. 14.
The Comelec said designated disinfection day will be moved from Fridays to Mondays, in addition to daily disinfection measures being conducted by OEOS. “However, if the local government unit (LGU) prescribes another day for disinfection and such is within the workweek, the OEOS shall also observe the LGU disinfection day on top of Monday Disinfection Day,” said the poll body.
During disinfection, all Comelec offices nationwide will be closed and there will be no transactions with the public.
Voter registration for the May 2022 national and local polls resumed last Sept. 1 except in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or Modified ECQ.
Qualified to register are those who will be at least 18 years of age on or before Election Day, or on May 9, 2022; a resident in the Philippines for at least one year; and resides in the place where he or she intends to vote for at least six months on or before Election Day.
All local OEOs are open from Mondays to Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., to accept applicants for voter registration. The voter registration period will run until Sept. 30.
