The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will extend voter registration in areas affected by Typhoon Julian.

In an interview on DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas on Monday, COMELEC Chairman George Garcia clarified that voter registration will end today, September 30. However, an extension will be provided to those affected by the typhoon, particularly in Northern Luzon.

"Ngayong araw na ang last day [voter registration] better late than never para sa iba pang hindi pa nagpaparehistro o kaya'y babaguhin sa datos pwedeng gawin ngayong araw," Garcia said.

"May ibang lugar sa bandang Norte dahil may bagyo, pinagkatiwala natin sa [COMELEC] Regional Directors ang pagdedesisyon kung hindi itutuloy ngayong araw at magkakaroon ng additional na araw sa mga lugar na binabagyo," he added.

As for the start of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC), Garcia reminded candidates to use the proper format, noting that some had filed using affidavits.

"Hindi po 'yan, mayroon po tayo sa ating website at pwedeng i-xerox [photocopy]," said the Chairman.

Furthermore, there are no strict guidelines for the use of documentary stamps, but they help strengthen the document’s validity as an official record.

For party-list nominations, there must be a Certificate of Nomination from the party itself, along with an acceptance of the nomination by each of the party’s nominees.

Garcia also urged candidates to avoid any tension or conflicts during the filing process.

COMELEC will release the official list of candidates on its website two weeks after the COC filing ends on October 8.