THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will suspend voter registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), supposedly set this July amid calls to extend the term of barangay officials.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia made the announcement after the Senate ratified on Wednesday evening the bicameral conference committee that seeks to extend the term of office of barangay and SK officials, from three to four years and to suspend the elections to the first Monday of November 2026.
According to Garcia, the Comelec will respect and abide by any decision and they will simply follow especially if it is about the postponement of an election.
He added that they will wait for the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. if he will approve or veto the proposed move
Garcia also noted that the poll body is set to hold an emergency meeting next week to discuss preparations for the BSKE, including the procurement of requirements and the possible voter registration suspension.
He also intimated that they are expecting up to 70 million Filipinos will register to be able to vote during the BSKE.
He said that the Comelec is also looking at how to ask for a higher budget for 2026.