Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday urged the Commission on Elections to extend the voter registration period in areas to be placed under lockdown or ECQ including Metro Manila.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez earlier said voter registration in Metro Manila would be suspended during the imposition of ECQ in the region from Aug. 6 to 20. The commission had set the voter registration deadline to Sept. 30.
“Sayang yung period from Aug. 6 to 20. Especially for some of our first time voters, yung iba sa kanila are not even eligible for vaccination," Hontiveros said.
"It is only logical to extend the voter registration period by at least two more weeks. It's two more weeks that may prove critical for our country's future,” she said.
Hontiveros said that while deadlines are crucial as the 2022 election nears, the ongoing pandemic must be considered as "extraordinary circumstances."
"Hopefully, in this case, Comelec can make one last necessary extension. Huwag naman sanang i-quarantine pati ang karapatan ng mga tao na bumoto,” she added.
The Comelec was targeting to reach at least 61 million voters for the upcoming 2022 elections. As of early July, the commission reported that a total of 60 million voters were registered.
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