The first step to an empowered and involved electorate is registering to vote, and registration ends on Sept. 29, the last Saturday of this month. It is our responsibility to exercise our right to vote and support politicians whose programs and beliefs align with ours—something that is imperative in our current state.
If you haven’t registered to vote yet, now’s your chance—voters’ registration ends on Sept. 29, 2018. Those who can register to vote are Filipino citizens who will be at least 18 years old on or before the elections on May 13, 2019. You should also be a Philippine resident for at least one year and have resided in the place where you intend to vote for at least six months before May 13, 2019.
We know that registering to vote isn’t the easiest process, but we can help you prepare for the process. Here’s what you need to register to vote.
1. Find the nearest registration site.
You can register at the Office of the Election Officer near or in your Municipal or City Hall. The Office of the Election Officers is open from 8 am to 5 pm on Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays—but make sure to check ahead. We’ve compiled COMELEC’s list of offices here: https://www.genweph.com/precinct-finder-1/
2. Download, fill up, and print three copies of the COMELEC Voter’s Registration Form
You can download a copy of the COMELEC Voter’s Registration form here: https://www.genweph.com/download-form/
3. Bring two valid IDs. COMELEC accepts the following:
Employee's identification card (ID), with the signature of the employer or authorized representative; Postal ID; PWD Discount ID; Student's ID or library card, signed by the school authority; Senior Citizen's ID; Driver's license; NBI clearance; Passport; SSS/GSIS ID;
Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID; License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) and Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs.
4. Have your biometrics taken.
At the COMELEC office, they will take your biometrics—your photograph, signature, and fingerprints. Make sure to bring alcohol to wipe the ink off your fingers.
5. Keep your accomplishment receipt.
After you register, make sure you keep your accomplishment receipt. This will be necessary to claim your Voter’s ID.
Meanwhile, the Comelec has reminded Filipinos abroad to register as voters to be able to participate in the May 2019 midterm polls.
The Comelec-Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) issued the reminder as the registration period for overseas absentee voters (OAV) is set to end on Sept. 30.
“#VoterReg2018 for overseas absentee voters ahead of the #NLE2019 is ongoing until September 30,” the poll body said in a statement.
“Advisory to all Overseas Voters: Please take note of the registration deadline,” it added.
Those qualified to register as overseas voter must be a Filipino citizen, who expect to be abroad from April 13-May 13, 2019 or during the overseas voting period for the midterm polls; at least 18 years old on May 13, 2019; and not otherwise disqualified by law.
Applications may be filed at the nearest Philippine Foreign Service Posts; or at the OFOV office located at the Comelec’s main office in Intramuros, Manila.
Nine local field registration centers for OAV have also been identified, namely the Commission on Filipinos Overseas; the Maritime Industry Authority; the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Intramuros; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration at the offices of both the Balik Manggagawa and OWWA; and offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Alabang, Aseana, Robinsons Galleria, and SM Manila.
The poll body expects some 1.9 million overseas voters in the next national elections.
The OAV registration period started last Dec. 1, 2016.