Long lines kick off voters registration

A man fills up registration forms outside the Comelec office amid a long line of people also wanting to register for the 2016 elections. . Comelec registration at the city Comelec. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

Long lines forming outside the Cebu City office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the WDC building along Osmeña Boulevard marked the first day of voter registration for the 2016 elections yesterday.

The voters’ registration will go on until October 31, 2015.

While the queue would have indicated that more people wanted to exercise their political right when the next election comes, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was not happy with the long lines.

“Why didn’t they call for a prior meeting with the city or write a letter so we can sit down and discuss this,” he said referring to local Comelec officials.

People lined up outside the two Comelec offices at the WDC Building before 8 a.m. Only two tents were set up outside to provide shelter to those who have lined up.

“Maghuwat na lang gyud mi ani kay aron ma register mi kay gipangayoan man mi ug Comelec registration sa akong gi-applayan nga trabaho (I had to wait to register because I was asked about my Comelec registration in the job I’m applying for),” said one of those in line.

Cebu City north district Comelec officer Marchel Sarno said they are also considering ways to reduce the long lines at the Comelec office like conducting satellite registrations in the barangays and extending their registration days to include Sundays. But they will still have to discuss with barangay officials the possibility of holding satellite registrations that would start in the next two to three months.

Sarno said they expected more people to come to the Comelec offices in the next few days to either register as new voters, re-activate their voter records or transfer their registration to the city.

In the Comelec north district office, Sarno said he expects 18,000 people who will be seeking to re-activate their voter registration records.

Social welfare

Rama said there is a possibility that the spike in the number of people wanting to register in Cebu City is because there are people who wanted to avail of City Hall’s social welfare programs like the cash aid and special services provided to senior citizens, people with disabilities (PWDs) and solo parents.

In Talisay City, at least 12,000 registered voters needed to undergo biometrics registration, said Assistant Elections Officer Efren Arnejo.

Biometrics

Arnejo told reporters that the biometrics data consists of the registrant’s picture and computer-recorded fingerprint and signature.

As mandated by Republic Act 10367 or the Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act of 2013, voters who fail to submit for validation prior to the May 2016 elections shall be deactivated from the voters’ list and shall not be allowed to vote. Arnejo said their Talisay City Comelec office can only accommodate 150 registrants per day due to inadequate facilities.