The national election season in the Philippines can be a real deal breaker for the country: it’s either we all elect good and competent leaders, or we get to see our country dig a deeper grave than before.
In fact, the upcoming one could be thought of as the most important one of all, considering how much the Philippines has dealt with the current pandemic, alleged corruption in several government agencies, unresolved territorial disputes, and the current administration’s actions towards the opposition, among many others.
With only 15 days remaining before the Commission of Election’s cutoff for the Voter’s Registration, everyone should be running to their designated precincts to get their names on the official voter’s list. To keep up with the demand of those wanting to finally register as voters and to encourage more people to register, the COMELEC has partnered up with SM Supermalls, Robinsons, and Ayala Malls for satellite voter registration and to avoid crowding at COMELEC offices.
If you haven’t yet and are clueless on where to even begin, here’s a short guide to help you out.
Make sure you’re 18 years old by the 2022 Elections
For starters, please do make sure that you’ll be 18 years old or above on or before May 9, 2022, before you even consider registering. And no, it doesn’t count if you turn 18 a day after.
When are the COMELEC offices and Satellite Voter Registration Sites open, and until what time?
These vary on the quarantine restrictions being followed. For MECQ areas, you can register to vote on Mondays to Saturdays (including holidays) from 8 AM to 5 PM. In GCQ and MGCQ areas, you can go to any COMELEC and Satellite registration sites on Mondays to Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM, and on Saturdays and holidays from 8 AM to 5 PM.
You can go visit the COMELEC’s Facebook page for their complete list of registration sites. You can also look at the Facebook pages of SM Supermalls, Robinsons and Ayala Malls for more convenient booths.
So, if you’re 18 years old and above on or before May 9, 2022 and have decided when and where you’ll register, then you can proceed to the next, hopefully easy to follow steps.
- Visit COMELEC’s iRehistro website to find the online application form. Choose the “Online Application Form for Voter Registration for Local Applicants.
- Pick “Registration” as your type of application.
- Fill out the online form (CEF-1), especially the required fields.
- Choose your date and time slot for an appointment in your current city/municipality. Remember, there’s a list of local COMELEC offices and satellite sites, so do check it out.
- Print the CEF-1 on a long bond paper (8.5” x 13”), back-to-back.
**Don’t sign your signature yet or place your thumb mark on the forms yet because you must do it in front of the Election Officer!
- On your appointment day, don’t forget to bring a copy of your forms from your online registration and a valid ID!
What kind of IDs are considered to be valid for registration?
Good question, almost everyone asks that! There’s nothing wrong with asking. The following IDs are accepted as valid, if you still don’t count as a working adult:
- Postal ID
- PWD discount ID
- Student ID or library card
- Driver’s license
- Passport
Now that’s all said and done, we hope you’ll be able to register as a voter soon! Tick-tock, we only have a few days left. Remember, it’s our right and obligation to our country to vote for the leaders who will serve our countrymen fairly and well.
Voting in the upcoming 2022 elections will make or break our futures. Better vote wisely, friends.