Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The “No Bio, No Boto,” policy can be legally challenged. [“No Biometrics, No Vote”]
Election laws expert Romulo Macalintal told CNN Philippines on Tuesday (June 30) that any registered voter can file a petition against the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) policy on mandatory biometrics registration for the 2016 elections.
Macalintal cited Section 10 of Republic Act 10367, or the Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act of 2013, which says Comelec “shall implement a mandatory biometrics registration system for new voters.”
Therefore, “old timers” are not supposed to be covered by this provision.
He noted that the law also does not distinguish between voters who were registered under manual or automated data capturing system.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez had earlier warned voters who have not been biometrically registered until October 31 will not allowed to cast their ballot next year.
For her part, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chairperson Henrietta “Tita” de Villa told CNN Philippines also on Tuesday that she had yet to go over RA 10367 — but since the point was raised, she promised to take the matter up with Comelec.
De Villa added that such a clarification was crucial since it involved the possible disenfranchisement of some 4.3 million voters.
Meanwhile, some good news for voters who want to get biometrically registered.
Comelec and SM Supermalls signed an agreement on Wednesday (July 1) to make the process more accessible to the public by making it available soon in 52 malls nationwide.
‘ ’10’: ‘image’: ‘jcr:63f713ca-1f5c-456a-9cf9-afc2ec7067c3’ ‘imageCaption’: ‘Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista (center) says it will be a
The dates and schedules were still to be ironed out, but Comelec said it was looking at weekend registrations.
Before this, the poll body also had a tie-up with Ayala and Robinsons malls.
