200K Filipinos register for BSKE, Comelec reports

Around 200,000 Filipinos have so far registered to vote in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.

"For us, whether we reach our one million target, it doesn't matter. When we opened our registration from 12 February to 30 September, we reached 2.2 million voters. Now, it's only 10 days, and we are targeting one million," Comelec Chairperson George Garcia told reporters in Filipino.

The Comelec chief said they would still be thankful whether or not they reach the one million target voter registrants by 10 August.

"If you think about it, if it were longer, we would have more voters," Garcia said.

Through Comelec's Special Register Anywhere Program, the poll body has brought its registration to select train stations.

Garcia said that 75 percent of voter registrants in some train stations were first-time voters.

"Since Friday, it has been overwhelming when our countrymen have shown interest in registering, especially the youth," Garcia continued.

"Last Saturday, in Baclaran, the elderly, grandparents, and parents accompanied their children. That is a good indication that the youth are being encouraged to register," he added.

The Comelec kicked off the 10-day nationwide voter registration for the 2025 BSKE on Friday, 1 August.

Applicants may register from Monday to Sunday, from 8 AM to 5 PM at any satellite registration sites or at their respective Comelec office of the election officer.

On Saturday, 2 August, Garcia said the poll body would still continue preparations for BSKE despite its postponement.

He added that they will not stop with the procurement of 60,000 ballot boxes and other election materials.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to sign into law a proposed bill on 12 Aug. that will reschedule the 2025 BSKE to December 2026. The elections were originally set for 1 December 2025.