Youth groups press for extended voters registration period听
SEVERAL YOUTH groups are submitting on Tuesday a petition for an extension of the voter registration period despite an Aug. 18 decision by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rejecting such calls,听citing timeline constraints and health听protocols.听听
More than听60 youth and student organizations听signed the petition, led by听Akbayan Youth, First Time Voters’ Network, and the Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking.听
The听groups听will also听ask the government鈥檚 task force managing the coronavirus response to allow voter registration activities even in areas under strict quarantine levels.听听听
They cited听that听eight听months’听worth听of registration days听were lost due to the lockdowns.听听
Comelec Spokesperson James B. Jimenez听previously听said the poll body鈥檚听en听banc听junked听an earlier听petition听because an extension听from the Sept. 30 deadline听may delay preparations for the 2022 polls. The filing of certificates of candidacy starts Oct. 1.听听听
In another online forum on June 28, Mr. Jimenez said the commission has reached its goal of having at least four million new registrants for the 2022 national and local elections.听听听
He听also posted on social media that the Philippines now has a total of 61.06 million registered voters as of Aug. 24, which is more than the commission鈥檚 expectation of 59 million.听鈥斕鼴ianca Angelica D.听A帽ago听听
