• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Despite the removal of 100,000 voters for failure to vote in two consecutive elections, the number of registered voters in Negros Occidental still surpassed the two-million mark following the latest voter registration period, Commission on Elections (Comelec) records showed.
The total registered regular voters reached 2,016,861 for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Occidental compared to only 2,009,564 in the May 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec-Negros Island Director Lionel Marco Castillano said there is a significant increase in the number of registered SK voters, now reaching 683,285.
He attributed the increase to the conduct of satellite voter registration activities in schools, which encouraged more youth voters to register.
With this development, the Comelec reported that 2,700,146 registered voters in Negros Occidental are eligible to cast their votes in the BSKE scheduled this coming Nov. 2.
Highly urbanized Bacolod City recorded the highest number of registered voters at 475,743.
This was followed by the sixth legislative district with 425,608 registered voters; third district, 424,441; fifth district, 412,034; first district, 346,292; fourth district, 332,811; and second district, 212,281.
The Comelec has set the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the BSKE 2026 from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11191, which outlines the calendar of activities for the Nov. 2 polls, the election period will run from Oct. 3 to Nov. 9.
The campaign period is scheduled from Oct. 22 to Oct. 31.
Meanwhile, Castillano met with PBrig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, acting regional director of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), on June 24 to discuss preparations for the upcoming electoral exercises.
The meeting included discussions on the possible convening of the Regional Joint Security Control Center in September.
Castillano said the Comelec and the Philippine National Police exchanged notes on preparations and coordination measures to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.
He added that the Comelec will provide the PRO-NIR with updated data on the number of registered voters, voting centers, and the actual number of candidates who will file their COCs.
The information will serve as the basis for the formulation of the RJSCC security plan for the elections, Castillano said. | GPB
