The Commission on Elections in Negros Occidental reported an “unusually high” turnout of registrants for the SK and barangay elections this December in Negros Occidental, particularly among the youth.
Provincial Election Supervisor, Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, said the high turnout can be a “big force” to reckon with in the 2025 midterm elections.
From July 19 to 21 alone, Ananoria reported an increase of new registrants, from 67,843 to 86,562, or an increase of 18,719.
He said that bulk of the new registration comes from the youth sector, who are now “politically aware” because of social media.
Another factor for the high turnout is the number of applicants for transfer of residency, he said.
The registration will end 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.
Ananoria said there will be no extension in the registration of new voters, as per advice by the Comelec national office.
He said it will be up to the election officers how they manage those who would still be queuing beyond the 5 p.m. deadline.
In Bacolod City, Ananoria said about 700 new applicants are being processed by Comelec personnel for registration. He appealed to registrants to be patient, as he noted long lines outside the Comelec offices.
Despite moves in Congress to postpone the scheduled barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, he said they are still preparing for the polls on Dec. 5.
If there is a law postponing it, Ananoria said he received information from the Comelec that registration of new voters may resume October this year, for the 2025 elections./GB
