The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has denied the accreditation applications of 76 party-list groups and political parties for the May 2022 polls.
Among the applications rejected were those of 1-Ako Driver, Ipaglaban Mo, Ang Pederalismo, Antigo-1, Justice Redeemed, Dugong Dakilang Seaman, Maharlika People's Party, Ang Bagong Barangay Natin, and OFW Coalition Party.
The decision was announced by Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez at a press conference Thursday "Most of them have
been denied on procedural grounds. Pleadings and jurisdictional allegations were incomplete. For most part, those were the reasons [for the denial of accreditation]," Jimenez said, adding
"The list can still grow."
Meanwhile, at least 65.5 million registered voters are expected to participate in the forthcoming 2022 national and local elections.
“Throughout the entire registration process we added to the list of voters a total of 8,187,080,” Jimenez said, adding “as of today the projected number of voters for 2022 stands at 65.5 million.”
The poll spokesman said at the start of the registration, they expected around 4 million who will turn 18-years old to register.
In terms of new registrants, Jimenez said there were 4,094,614 new voters aged 18 to 21 years old.
Majority of those new registrants belong to the 21 year old age group with 750,578 males and 796,891 females.
But the largest group of registrants in the 18 to 21 bracket, Jimenez said, were the 21-year old registrants.
Voter registration ended Oct. 30, while the 2022 national and local elections will be held on May 9, 2022.
In related developments, Meta, formerly the Facebook company, Comelec, and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) announced the launch of a digital literacy campaign, “Be WAIS and Teka Moment.”
The campaign reminds people to pause and think critically before sharing information online and also includes tips on how to spot fake news and how to engage in respectful political discourse on social media.
Jimenez said: “Social media platforms like Facebook play an important role in providing Filipinos with timely information about when and where to vote. Together with Meta and all our partners, we are committed to promoting digital literacy especially among new registered voters for the upcoming presidential election.”