(UPDATE) The voter registration period for the 2022 elections will not be extended beyond the Sept. 30 deadline, the Commission on Elections said Wednesday, but sign up hours will be longer.
The Commission En Banc decided against the extension of voter registration period as requested by some senators, citing concerns about the timeline of the 2022 elections and continuing apprehensions on the health and safety of the public and its personnel, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.
Voter registration in areas under the two strictest quarantine classifications, ECQ and MECQ, are suspended.
"You delay the end of one, and you basically delay everything else," Jimenez said.
"However, the En Banc also unanimously approved the extension of voter registration hours, as well as the opening of voter registration on Saturdays and holidays, for the remainder of the voter registration period," he added.
Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, in a separate tweet, said the en banc agreed to extend the voter registration hours up to 7 p.m. on weekdays and up to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Hazard pay will also be given to Comelec field personnel in accordance with guidelines from the Department of Budget and Management, she added.
Seven senators earlier filed a resolution urging the Comelec to extend the deadline of voter registration to Oct. 31, 2021 from Sept. 30 to prevent voters from being disenfranchised.
The commission was targeting to reach at least 59 million voters for the 2022 elections. Jimenez said at the moment, over 60 million Filipinos have registered. Target has also been reached for first time registrants at 4.3 million about two weeks ago, he said.
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