The Commission on Elections (Comelec) plans to resume the national voter registration in October, expecting a possible postponement of this year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Comelec chairman George Garcia said in case the BSKE is postponed from Dec. 1 to November 2026, the Comelec will open registration again this October, after the Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections.
He said the October registration will enable more Filipinos to participate in the upcoming elections.
Malacañang has notified the Comelec that President Marcos is expected to sign the proposed measure on Aug, 12, extending the terms of current village officials for one more year.
The Comelec is carrying out a national voter registration process until Aug.10 in relation to the December BSKE. Rather than extend the registration period, Garcia said they would simply continue until it is confirmed that the BSKE would be deferred anew.
“A law that has been enacted still requires a period for publication. Following that, it will become effective. Once it is in effect, it can be challenged in the Supreme Court. We will need to observe what steps the SC will take if someone contests that law,” Garcia said. Vito Barcelo
