The Commission on Elections said Monday it was studying the possibility of extending the voter registration period for the 2022 elections after it was disrupted by fresh cornavirus lockdowns.
The Commission en banc opened discussions on extending the voter registration period during its last session, according to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, who previously said that the Sept. 30 deadline for voter registration would likely stay.
"The Executive Director has also been directed to study the matter and is expected to report his conclusions back to the en banc in due time," Jimenez said, referring to Atty. Bartolome Sinocruz Jr.
Voter registration in Metro Manila was suspended as the region was placed undr Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ from Aug. 6 to 20.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Monday asked Comelec if it could extend the voter registration period so that more people could participate in the upcoming elections.
"There are now only 52 days left to register to vote. With 11 days to go under ECQ, we will lose two weeks where we could have reached more people," he said.
"We are in an extraordinary time. Kahit isa o dalawang linggong extension would mean more people can register to vote," he added.
The Comelec was targeting to reach at least 61 million voters for the upcoming 2022 elections. As of early July, the commission reported that a total of 60 million voters were registered.
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