• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Commission on Elections en banc has declared Feb. 12 as National Voter’s Day, since the second Monday of this month is the start of the voter registration period for the 2025 National and Local Elections (2025 NLE).
“Comelec made this declaration of National Voter’s Day to emphasize the importance of being a registered voter, and explain the processes of registration and elections to Filipinos,” chairman George Erwin Garcia said in a statement Feb. 1.
Garcia said all Comelec offices nationwide will have various activities on Feb. 12 to entertain the registrants, stir the interest of constituents to encourage them to register, and spread awareness about voter registration.
“To commemorate the first-ever declaration of National Voter’s Day, the issuance of voter’s certification in all offices of the election officers, Comelec National Central File Division, and Comelec Office for Overseas Voting will be free of charge starting Feb. 12,” Atty. John Rex Laudiangco, the poll body spokesperson, said, adding a resolution promulgating this development will be issued as soon as possible.
For registered voters belonging to the vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disability, persons deprived of liberty, indigenous peoples, and members of the indigenous cultural communities, the issuance of voter certification still remain free of charge.
“(But) with the announcement of free voter certification starting on Feb. 12, registered voters who belong to the vulnerable sectors can get their certification currently for free,” he added.
A voter education and registration fair will also be held in Negros Occidental and other areas all over the country starting this month, simultaneously in the same venue where the satellite or mall registration, Register Anywhere Program (RAP), or Special Register Anywhere Program (SRAP) are being held, the Comelec said.
The offsite/satellite registration could also be conducted in barangays, educational institutions, and other establishments; the RAP will be held in all capital cities and towns, and highly-urbanized cities; and the SRAP in national government offices and agencies, schools and universities, and other public/private places.
“The transfer of voter registration venue outside of the Comelec offices and closer to the Filipino people provides accessibility, convenience, and comfort with an end goal of ensuring massive voter participation,” the Comelec said.
A Filipino, who is at least 18 years of age, on Election Day on May 12, 2025, a resident of the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherein he/she proposes to vote for at least six months immediately preceding the NLE next year, and not otherwise disqualified by law, can register as a voter.
Voter registration application forms may be downloaded from www.comelec.gov.ph. The registration period for the 2025 NLE will be until Sept. 30, and the Comelec is urging registrants to bring a valid government-issued ID as proof of identification since company/employer’s/employee’s ID will no longer be accepted, Laudiangco said. | CGC
