The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended the local absentee voting (LAV) registration from 7 March to 17 March.

In a resolution issued Monday, the poll body also moved the deadline for the verification of LAV registrants from 8 April to 11 April.

Meanwhile, the deadline for the transmittal of the list of qualified local absentee voters, local absentee ballots, and other election forms and supplies from the Committee for LAV was likewise set to 21 April.

“In light of numerous requests for extensions of the aforementioned deadlines from various government units, offices, agencies, and departments and considering the observance of Holy Week from April 17 to April 20, the commission deems it necessary to amend Comelec Resolution No. 11091,” the resolution read.

One can be considered an absentee voter if they are a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, or media practitioners whose day of work falls on Election Day.

While Election Day is scheduled on 12 May, absentee voters may cast their votes from 28 to 30 April.

According to the poll body, of the 73 million ballots to be printed, 100,000 are for local absentee voting.