Poll ‘Register Anywhere’ commences

The Commission on Elections on Saturday kicked off the pilot testing of its "Register Anywhere" project as part of the poll body's continuing voter registration campaign which started last Monday.

The Comelec set up eight "Register Anywhere" booths in Metro Manila, two in Bicol Region and one in Western Visayas for the start of the pilot-testing of the new voter registration measure.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia checked the booths in SM Fairview, Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. those in Robinson's Galleria in Quezon City, Commissioner Rey Bulay those in SM Southmall in Las Piñas City, and Commissioner Socorro Inting visited the booths at the SM Mall of Asia.

Garcia urged Filipinos to register early to avoid long queues during the last few weeks and days of the registration period.

"It's better to come much earlier because it isn't crowded. At the same time, as you go window-shopping or spend time with your families, it's better to grab the opportunity (to register)," Garcia said.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco shared the poll body's plan to open voter registration sites in schools, with a target implementation of the measure next month.

"We'll be commencing this at the soonest possible time. We are also discussing this with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education," Laudiangco said.

Each day, 1,500 registrants could be accommodated in each "Register Anywhere" site with five voter registration machines, according to Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr.

The poll body's 'Register Anywhere' project will run until 22 January next year. However, Comelec plans to use the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City as a "Register Anywhere" site on 25 January.

The poll body is also yet to announce the date of "Register Anywhere" in the main office of the Government Service Insurance System in Pasay City and the House of Representatives in Quezon City.