THE seven-month voter registration period for the 2025 national and local elections start today, February 12, said the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
As early as 4 a.m. residents lined up at Comelec’s office in Arroceros, Manila.
The Comelec’s Register Anywhere Program (RAP) is also set to kick off on Monday, which allows eligible Filipinos to register to vote in designated sites like malls and schools.
Comelec chairman George Garcia earlier said that the voter registration inside the malls will be less stringent, with each registrant expected to finish his or her application in about 10 minutes.
Around 170 malls across the country are expected to host the RAP.
Upon registration, applicants must present one of the following government-issued identification cards (ID) bearing their signature:
National Identification (ID) card under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys)
Postal ID card
PWD ID card
Student’s ID card or library card, signed by the school authority
Senior Citizen’s ID card
Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License/Student Permit
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
Philippine Passport
Social Security System (SSS)/Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) or other Unified Multi-Purpose ID card
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID card
License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC)
Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs
Barangay Identification/ Certification with photo or
Any other government-issued valid ID
Several individuals also queued early at the Comelec headquarters in Palacio del Gobernador on Monday to register.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the poll body headed by Garcia is set to fly to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea on Monday for voter registration.
The Comelec said at least three million Filipinos are expected to register as new voters nationwide ahead of the 2025 polls. At least 67.8 million voters are currently registered across the Comelec
The voter registration will run until September 30, 2024, while the registration for the RAP will be until August 31, 2024.
Applicants may register from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in all Comelec offices nationwide.
