The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday rejected the pleas of extending the deadline of voter registration on September 30 but said it will make amends on the hours in order to accommodate those who want to cast their vote in the upcoming polls.
In a media briefing, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body en Banc voted to reject the resolution filed by seven senators to extend the voter registration to October 30, 2021.
"The en Banc citing concerns about the timeline of preparations for the 2022 National and Local Elections, as well as significant continuing apprehensions about the health and safety of the public and of COMELEC personnel decided against extending the voter registration period beyond September [30], 2021,” Jimenez stated.
He noted that the Comelec is concerned that the delay at the end of voter registration would "cause corresponding delays in all other preparatory activities especially those that depend on the finalization of the list of voters."
Jimenez added that the commissioners “unanimously approved” the extension of registration hours and the opening of voter registration on Saturdays and holidays for the remaining days of the voter registration period.
Last week, seven senators filed a resolution urging the poll body to extend the deadline for voter registration to Oct. 30 to "prevent voter disenfranchisement brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic."
Registration is currently on hold for areas under enhanced community quarantine and modified ECQ.
