THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced today the extension of voter registration hours, to include even Saturdays and holidays.
Comelec spokesperson and director James Jimenez said that effective August 23, 2021, the new registration hours will be from 8 a.m. to to 7 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays.
However, he said that for areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) where voter registration is suspended, “the new registration schedule will automatically take effect once quarantine classification is downgraded to General Community Quarantine (GCQ), Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) or any lower quarantine status.”
He adds that the conduct of registration, which includes satellite operations in malls, barangays, schools or universities and other public places, continues in areas which are under GCQ, Modified GCQ or any lower quarantine status.
“As per current guidelines, Saturdays are dedicated to satellite registration so that our field personnel can accommodate a higher number of registrants in more accessible and convenient places,” Jimenez explained.
However, he said the “Offices of the Election Officer (OEO) may conduct Saturday registration in their respective offices if going to malls, barangays and other satellite sites is not feasible under the guidelines.”
Aside from the Comelec’s official social media channels, the schedules of satellite registration will also be posted on the website, bulletin boards of the OEOs and city or municipal halls, with notices to local representatives of political parties and citizens arms.
The deadline for voter registration is still September 30, 2021.