A PROPOSED bill that seeks to nullify an existing section in the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines that cancels voter registration after failing to vote in two consecutive elections was filed in the House of Representatives today.
In House Bill 10640, the proposed measure reiterates the right of the public to vote and freely choose their qualified candidate of choice during an election.
However, it said that it is not correct and totally unreasonable the existing ruling wherein the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will remove from the voters’ list and consider “deactivated” any voter registration for failure to vote in two consecutive regular elections.
Under the proposed bill, Section 16 Paragraph (c) of Republic Act 3588 and Section 123 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, which states the “cancellation of registration” for those who fail to vote in two consecutive regular elections, will be removed.
It said a registered voter will be removed from the list by virtue of death, or if the voter is sentenced with imprisonment of not less than one year, or if charged “guilty” for violation of “allegiance” to the Philippines.