Graphics by John Carl Acosta
MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially opened voter registration for eligible Filipinos on Tuesday, November 10, with the registration period running until July 30, 2027, in preparation for the May 2028 national and local elections.
The registration period covers first-time voters, applications for reactivation of voter status, and transfers of existing voter records.
The Comelec reminded applicants to present identification documents, including library cards, student IDs, and senior citizen IDs, provided these bear their names, photographs, and addresses.
The poll body stressed that barangay residency certificates and cedulas are not accepted as proof of identity.
Applicants may also present other government-issued identification documents, including passports, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances, police clearances, National IDs, postal IDs, driver’s licenses, and electronic Philippine Identification (ePhilID) cards accessed through the eGov app.
Meanwhile, the Comelec relaunched its Special Registration Anywhere/Anytime Program (SRAP) at Mabini Hall in Luneta Park on November 10-12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Additional special registration activities are scheduled for November 19 at WalterMart Chino Roces and November 24 at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Manila campus to make registration services more accessible to the public.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday, November 5, at the Comelec Main Office in Intramuros, Manila, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body aims to register three million new voters nationwide for the 2028 elections, bringing the total electorate to 74 million.
“Nationwide, we plan to register about 3 million voters. Currently, we have 71 million voters; so, there will be approximately 74 million voters for the 2028 national and local elections,” Garcia said.
Garcia also advised individuals planning to file their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) to ensure that they are registered voters to avoid questions regarding their eligibility.
Meanwhile, the Comelec Region VIII office posted an advisory on Facebook regarding signature updates and biometric recaptures. It informed voters across Eastern Visayas of the specific qualifications, allowable grounds, and local application schedules to ensure their records are updated before the elections.
Applicants are also advised to secure and complete the Commission on Elections Form No. 1 (CEF-1) before personally submitting it to their local Office of the Election Officer (OEO), an SRAP site, or a designated satellite or mall registration venue.
Throughout the registration period, the Comelec will work to clean up voter lists, print official copies, and allow candidates to verify the registered electorate ahead of election day.
Article by Niña Mae Marañon