SAN FERNANDO CITY, Philippines – Loreta Taradel, 66, was one the early birds who signed up during the May 6 simultaneous voters’ registration at the Commission on Elections office.
Taradel, a resident of Barangay Baraoas in San Fernando City, wanted to vote in her home province in the 2016 elections after years of being a registered voter in Pasay City.
“I came home from Manila because I need to take care of my bedridden parents. This is my first time to register as a transferee,” she said.
She said she didn’t mind the long climb to the Comelec office and the summer heat because a senior citizens’ lane was opened which made the registration process a breeze.
“I didn’t have a hard time (signing up) because a senior citizen’s lane was provided for elders like me. I am proud to say that I am now a registered voter of San Fernando,” she said.
Lawyer Jugeeh A. Deinla, Comelec officer-in-charge, said the nationwide registration from May 6 to July 31, 2015 is intended for new registrants including transfer registrants, reactivation, validation, correction of entry and change of civil status.
Deinla explained that new registrants should be 18 years old or will be turning 18 before May 9, 2016.
Transfer registrants are those coming from other towns, cities or provinces and have stayed in their new residence for six months.
Voters who were unable to vote for two consecutive elections can reactivate their voting records while correction of entry is allowed if the name, surname, or other entry was misspelled during their previous registration.
A voter may also change his or her civil status, from single to married status or vise-versa and married to widow or widower.
Requirements for the following types of registrants are the following: for new registrants – original birth certificate with photocopy for comparison; reactivation – valid ID; transfer – valid ID, the new address and clearance from the barangay captain and certification that said registrant has been a resident in that address for six months, the least; change of civil status – marriage contract, proof of annulment if annuled, and death certificate of spouse for widower.
Deinla also reminded that the COMELEC personnel will be conducting a satellite registration in the villages to provide services at the community’s doorstep and ensure a wider coverage of the registration.
Satellite registration for in the villages here will be on Thursdays and Fridays, starting June and until the last Friday of the month, Deinla added.
Since the city is on a modified work week or four-day work until June 30, 2014, the city COMELEC office is open to the public during Sundays to Thursdays from 8 am to 5 pm.
Deinla said the COMELEC will allot a one-week special registration for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
