Thousands of eligible voter applicants trooped to different Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices nationwide as the first day of the nine-month voter registration starts, poll chairman George Garcia said.
“At least three million Filipinos are expected to register nationwide which will run until September 30, 2024,” the poll chief said.
Hundreds of new voter applicants lined up at the Comelec Office in Intramuros, Manila as early as 6 in the morning on the first day of voter registration, which was declared by the Comelec as “National Voter’s Day.”
The poll body will also launch nationwide its Register Anywhere Program (RAP), which will make voters’ registration easier and more accessible.
“RAP registration sites will be set up in malls, universities, or government offices/agencies in all capital cities and towns and HUCs nationwide,” he said.
Other applications that will be accepted in RAP sites include new registration, transfer of registration from another city/municipality/district, transfer of registration from overseas to local, correction of entries or change of status, and reactivation.
At least 67.8 million voters are currently registered nationwide.
Meanwhile, Garcia reminded applicants that they will no longer accept company ID as a valid identification document.
“Applicants should only submit government-issued IDs,” the poll body chief added.
Local Comelec offices are ready to accept applications for registration and other election-related concerns from Feb. 12 to Sept. 30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays.