The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not likely to re-open the voter registration for the May 2016 polls unless ordered by the Supreme Court.
“It is rather unlikely that the Comelec comes up with a decision before the SC rules on the case,” Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said in an interview.
“It is possible (to re-open) if ordered by the SC,” he added.
Last week, the Kabataan partylist asked the SC to compel the Comelec to extend the voters registration period up to January 8, 2016.
In their petition, the group accused the Comelec of violating the Voter’s Registration Act, which provides that “the personal filing of application of registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the Election Officer during regular office hours; but no registration shall, however, be conducted during the period starting 120 days before a regular election”.
Jimenez believes that extending voter registration could have adverse effects in their preparations for the May 2016 polls.
“That will have an effect in our timeline. Our biggest worry is that their wont be enough time for us to prepare for the upcoming polls,” he said.
Being short in preparation days, Jimenez said could also make them prone to committing errors on Election Day. (Leslie Ann Aquino)