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| As COMELEC voter registration resumes, we have created this comprehensive online guide for those who want to vote for the Philippines' next leaders. |
The Commission of Elections (COMELEC) has resumed voter registration following the conclusion of the 2022 National and Local Elections. This means that anyone over the age of eighteen or who will turn eighteen before the next national election (2022 Barangay Elections and 2025 Midterm Elections) can now register to vote.
To begin exercising your right as a Filipino citizen, you must register to vote to elect future leaders who will significantly impact shaping the Philippines into a better country and implementing policies that will improve the lives of its citizens.
Voter registration in the Philippines is easy because there are already procedures in place for those who wish to exercise their right to vote. COMELEC has already done an excellent job of automating the process, making registration much simpler than it was in the past.
Just follow this online guide on COMELEC voter registration in the Philippines.
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What is Voter Registration?
COMELEC defined "voter registration" as a requirement for all eligible Filipino citizens who wish to vote in Philippine elections.
Per Republic Act No. 8189, it is the completion and filing of a sworn application for voter registration by a qualified voter before the election officer of the city or municipality where the voter resides and its inclusion in the voter registration book upon approval by the Election Registration Board.
Who are eligible for COMELEC's voter registration?
Applicants who want to file an application for registration as a voter are expected to fulfill several prerequisites before doing so. The Commission mentions these conditions in Section 5 of COMELEC Resolution No. 10549 and is included in Section 9 of Republic Act No. 8189.
Qualifications for Voter Registration
For the National and Local Elections on May 9, 2022, any Filipino citizen who is not yet registered to vote is eligible to submit an application for registration, providing that they meet one or more of the following requirements:
- At least eighteen (18) years old on or before the National and Local Elections;
- A resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein they propose to vote for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the next national and Local Elections; and
- Not otherwise disqualified by law.
Anyone who has not achieved the required voting age or term of residency on the registration day but will do so on or before the following National and Local Elections may register to vote.
Disqualification for Voter Registration
The following individuals are ineligible to file registration applications:
- Anyone who has been sentenced by final judgment to imprisonment for at least one (1) year and whose disability has not been removed by plenary pardon or amnesty;
- Any person found guilty by a competent court or tribunal of a crime involving disloyalty to the duly-constituted government, such as rebellion, insurrection, violation of firearms laws, or any crime against national security, unless restored to full civil and political rights in accordance with the law; and
- Person declared insane or incompetent by a relevant authority unless such person is later declared insane or incompetent by proper authority.
Any person disqualified from registering under paragraphs (1) and (2) above will immediately regain the ability to register and vote after serving a five-year sentence.
What are the requirements for COMELEC Registration?
A person who wishes to proceed with their COMELEC voter registration must provide proof of identity when filing their application. The following are acceptable forms of identification:
- National ID;
- Postal ID;
- NBI Clearance;
- PWD ID
- Passport;
- SSS/GSIS identification number;
- Senior Citizens ID;
- Valid driver's license
- Passport;
- Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID;
- Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID;
- Student ID or library card, signed by a school official;
- Employee ID with the employer's or authorized representative's signature;
- Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs;
- and any other acceptable form of identification.
In the absence of any of the above-mentioned identification documents, the applicant may be identified under oath by any registered voter of the precinct in which he or she seeks to register, or by any relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. A registered voter or a relative may only nominate three (3) applicants.
PNP clearance and Community Tax Certificates (cedula) will not be considered legitimate identification documents for registration purposes.
If the applicant fails to confirm their identification using any of the documents mentioned above, they will not be provided an application form, nor will their pre-completed application form be accepted.
What are the steps for COMELEC Voter Registration?
Section 12 of Resolution No. 9853 requires those who want to complete their voter registration to follow the COMELEC resolution:
Step 1 – A qualified applicant only needs to appear in person at the local COMELEC's Office of the Election Officer (OEO).
Step 2 – The applicant's identity and place of residence will be confirmed. (Bring a valid photo ID and your signature.) The applicant's registration status will also be verified.
This can be done at the OEO using a computer application.
Step 3 – Following successful identification verification, the applicant (or she) will be given three (3) copies of the application forms.
A blank application form can also be downloaded from COMELEC's website. This form is available for download and printing. To save time, it could be completed before proceeding to the OEO. It should, however, only be signed and thumb marked before the EO.
Step 4 – An authorized VRM Operator will digitally capture the applicant's biometrics using the Voter Registration Machine (VRM).
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| Sample of COMELEC Voter Registration acknowledgment receipt. |
Step 5 – Following that, the applicant will be given an Acknowledgement Receipt.
Once you receive the acknowledgment receipt, this means that your application is done and you are now a registered voter. COMELEC will give you a voter's ID Card as proof of your registration.
However, the production and distribution of Voter ID cards have been halted by the Commission due to the House's approval of a bill to establish a National Identification System, which proposes a single ID for all government transactions.
Different Ways to Submit Application Form for Voter Registration
For your convenience, here are four different ways (only one) to complete and submit your application form:
Completing and submitting the application form provided by the Election Officer's Office (OEO):
Step 1 - Go to the OEO where you are currently registered or plan to register.
Step 2 - Ask the OEO for a CEF-1 form. In all OEOs, blank forms are provided.
Step 3 - Using a pen, fill out all of the required fields on your application form (write legibly). If necessary, seek assistance from the OEO.
Step 4 - Submit your application to the OEO after filling out all of the required information on the form. Further instructions shall be discussed with you by the OEO.
Download and print the blank COMELEC registration form (CEF-1) and complete it with a pen before going to the OEO:
Step 1 – Download CEF-1 (and any other forms that may be required) from the Application Forms page.
Step 2 – Print the downloaded CEF-1 on an 8" x 13" (Folio) sheet of paper. The form must be printed from top to bottom.
Step 3 – Using a pen, fill out all of the required fields on your application form (Please write legibly).
NOTE: Do not sign or attach your thumbprint to the application form just yet. This must be done in the presence of the Election Officer or a COMELEC Authorized Representative.
Step 4 – Go to the OEO where you are registered or intend to register to submit your application form in person. The OEO will discuss further instructions with you.
Download the form (CEF-1) and complete it on your computer (via a PDF reader) before printing, then proceed to the OEO:
Step 1 – Download CEF-1 (and any other forms that may be required) from the Application Forms page.
Step 2 – Using a PDF reader, open the downloaded CEF-1 file (PDF format) (Adobe Acrobat Reader DC)
Step 3 – Check all of the appropriate options in the ovals.
Step 4 – Complete all of the remaining fields on your application form (Required fields are highlighted once an option is selected).
Step 5 – Print your completed CEF-1 file to an 8" x 13" (Folio) sheet of paper. The form must be printed from top to bottom.
NOTE: Do not sign or attach your thumbprint to the application form just yet. This must be done in the presence of the Election Officer or a COMELEC Authorized Representative.
Step 6 – Go to the OEO where you are registered or intend to register to submit your application form in person. The OEO will discuss further instructions with you.
Use the COMELEC iRehistro portal to register online:
Step 1 – Launch the iRehistro (site unavailable for now) web app.
Step 2 – Choose appropriate options for your application and complete all required fields.
Step 3 – Comply with all of the iRehistro's instructions.
Step 4 – After completing iRehistro, go to the OEO where you are registered or intend to register to personally submit your application form (depending on your scheduled appointment). The OEO will discuss additional instructions with you.
Where to get COMELEC Registration Form?
According to Section 3 of Resolution No. 10392 and Minute Resolution No. 18-0066, as amended by Minute Resolution No. 18-0155, the following is the revised registration form template for the resumption of the continuous voter registration system of COMELEC:
- CEF-1 - Registration/Application;
- Annex B - Supplementary Data Form; and
- Coronavirus Self Declaration Form, as required by Resolution No. 10674, item 5 (b).
Conclusion
Those interested in learning more about voter registration can easily find it on the COMELEC website. If you need to register, simply follow the instructions before visiting a COMELEC satellite office.
Prepare the necessary documents, such as your identification card and the COMELEC Registration form.
Once you've registered to vote, you have the power to choose the Philippines' next set of leaders. For more information on voter registration, you may contact the Election and Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD) at ebad@comelec.gov.ph or call them at (02) 525-9298. —iTacloban
Source:
COMELEC
COMELEC