Poll execs to walk across Luzon for voter registration drive

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially launched on Friday, May 2, its campaign for voter registration in preparation for the next national elections in 2016.

The campaign, called “Walkah Walkah,” aims to encourage Filipinos to register by informing them of their right to vote and therefore maximize the benefits of having a good government.

A team of 5 election officials headed by Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez will visit several towns in Luzon to inform the electorate on the importance of suffrage and ballot secrecy, and the dangers of vote buying.

Starting Tuesday next week, May 6, they will travel – by walking – a total of 1,056 kilometers. They will begin in Laoag City in Ilocos Norte and will end in Matnog in Sorsogon.

“We will determine why some residents don’t vote. We’ll identify the hindrances in voting, and we’ll share that to the whole country,” Jimenez said.

The team will try also to reach out to various sectors, such as the indigenous community in Tarlac and the people with disabilities (PWDs) in Manila.

Voter registration resumes

The start of the Walkah Walkah campaign will coincide with the resumption of voters’ registration. (READ: Voter’s registration for 2016 polls begins May 6)

Comelec encourages the following to register:

• voters who still don’t have biometrics data
• voters who transfered to another city or municipality
• voters who did not vote for 2 consecutive elections, as their registration have already been deactivated

The Comelec expects 3 million new voters in 2016.

The registration at local Comelec offices will be open 6 days a week – including Sundays – from 8 am to 5 pm.

Each Comelec office is required to have one satellite registration site in their area. Additional sites could be created upon request, Jimenez added.

Existing voters may check the status of their registration record by visiting the poll body’s website, comelec.gov.ph, or by going to their local Comelec office.

The registration of overseas abseente voters also resumes on May 6 in foreign embassies and posts around the world. (READ: Overseas in 2016? Vote abroad, says Comelec)

Voter registration will be until October 31, 2015. – Rappler.com