Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) – The head of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said he is saddened by the low turnout in the voter registration for the barangay ang Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls.
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Only 200,000 have registered so far since the registration resumed on Dec. 12 last year, according to Comelec Chairman George Garcia.
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“Nakakalungkot dahil ang expected namin is hanggang 1.5 million to 2 million voters,” Garcia told a briefing on Friday.
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[Translation: It’s saddening because we expected 1.5 million to 2 million voters.]
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“Kapag po nagsisimula yung voter’s registration medyo matumal, nilalangaw po ang opisina ng ating Comelec dahil hindi po ganun kadami ang pumupunta,” he added.
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[Translation: When the voter’s registration began, it was slow. Comelec offices are empty because not a lot of registrants show up.]
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The current voter registration period will end on Jan. 31. The poll body said it is unlikely that it will be extended.
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In an earlier statement, Comelec broke down the total number of registrants from the Dec. 12 to Dec. 30: 60,941 SK voter applicants aged 15 to 17; 101,944 new registrants aged 18 to 30; and 25,694 regular registration applicants 21-years-old and above.
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Initially slated for December this year, the barangay and SK polls will now be held on the last Monday of October 2023.
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