(UPDATE) The Commission on Elections on Thursday said it was amenable to extending the voter registration period for one week after the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 elections from Oct. 1 to 8.
Lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives are urging the poll body to extend the voter registration period until Oct. 31 to allow more eligible voters to sign up. Currently, the last day of voter registration is on Sept. 30.
While the Comelec has yet to change its decision to keep the original voter registration deadline, Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said the poll body was open to a one-week extension.
"Our proposal is to give a one-week extension after the filing of the COC," Casquejo said during a joint congressional hearing on the preparations for the 2022 elections.
Sen. Imee Marcos said the Comelec's proposal may not be a fair compromise as lawmakers have been calling for a one-month extension. She pointed out that in previous elections, the deadline for voter registration was in October.
Casquejo said the commission had to make the deadline earlier to ensure proper election preparations during the pandemic. They are also concerned with the health and safety of their on-ground personnel, he added.
Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga suggested a two-week extension instead.
"We will look into that. But for now, what we have agreed is one week," Casquejo replied.
Two bills seeking to extend the voter registration period until Oct. 31, 2021 are separately being tackled in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The upper chamber approved its version on second reading on Wednesday.
If the measure is enacted into law, Casquejo assured lawmakers that they would comply with the extension.
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