MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking to revive the conduct of satellite registration activities in malls nationwide.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez noted that the registration activities in malls, approved via Comelec Resolution No. 10417 dated September 5, will accept application for registration from all applicants including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and pregnant women.
“Holding registration activities in malls has always been appreciated by the public. It makes the process more accessible and comfortable for them. Senior citizens and PWDs are especially benefited because waiting in malls is typically less stressful,” the poll body official said in a statement Friday.
Prior to the issuance of the resolution, the Comelec is holding satellite registration in barangay halls and primarily cater to registrants living in the immediate vicinity.
“With mall registration, the process will become more convenient and accessible to a greater number of registrants,” Jimenez said.
“This is in keeping with the Comelec’s commitment to promoting a gender sensitive registration system which is inclusive, participatory, and non-discriminatory, while giving preference to members of vulnerable sectors,” Jimenez added.
During registration, he said an express lane will be provided for senior citizens, PWDs, heavily pregnant women, and also those who might have need of such accommodation.
Daycare centers will be set up for the benefit of women with small children.
However, the poll body stressed that not all malls are eligible to host satellite registration sites as the owner or operator should be non-partisan.
“No satellite registration shall be conducted in a mall owned, leased, or occupied by any officer of the government, or incumbent city/municipal/barangay official, or of any person who is related to any city/municipality/barangay official within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or leader of any political party, group or faction, nor in any building or surrounding premises under the actual control of any political party or religious organization,” it added.
The voter registration started on July 2 and will run until September 29.
Applications for registration, transfer, transfer with reactivation, reactivation, change/correction of entires, and inclusion/reinstatement of records in the list of voters, will be accepted in all Offices of Election Officer of city/municipality, where the applicant resides, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays.
Applicants are reminded to bring the original, as well as the photocopies of their valid identification cards.
In the case of applications for change of status and correction of entry, a copy of their marriage contract from the Philippine Statistics Authority, or appropriate court order is necessary.
The Comelec started holding satellite registrations in malls in 2014. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
