Voter Registration Application Procedures

What is Voter Registration?

Voter Registration is a requirement for any qualified Filipino citizen who wishes to vote in any Philippine election.

It has been defined by Republic Act No. 8189 as “the act of accomplishing and filing of a sworn application for registration by a qualified voter before the election officer of the city or municipality wherein he [or she] resides and including the same in the book of registered voters upon approval by the Election Registration Board.”

Registration Requirements

Any Filipino citizen who is not yet a registered voter, may apply for registration, provided he/she possesses the following qualifications:

May 11, 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections:

A. 1. Barangay Elections:

1. At least eighteen (18) years of age on or before May 11, 2020 elections;
2. A resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein he/ she proposes to vote, for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the May 11, 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections; and
3. Not otherwise disqualified by law.

A. 2. Sangguniang Kabataan Elections:

1. At least fifteen (15) but not more than thirty (30) years of age and a residing in the barangay for at least six (6) months on or before May 11, 2020 elections; and
2. Registered voters as of May 13, 2019 elections shall not register anew.

First time registrants who will register during the resumption of the system of registration of voters and who are eighteen (18) but not more than thirty (30) years old, shall be automatically included in the list of voters for the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK).

May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections:

1. At least eighteen (18) years of age on or before May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections;
2. A resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein he/she proposes to vote, for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections; and
3. Not otherwise disqualified by law.

Any person who has not reached the required voting age or period of residence on the day of registration but will possess such qualifications on or before the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, may register as a voter. However, the reception of their applications shall commence only on May 10, 2021 (at least one year prior to election day).

Disqualifications to Register

The following are disqualified from filing applications for registration:

1. Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment for not less than one (1) year, such disability not having been removed by plenary pardon or amnesty;
2. Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment by a competent court or tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duly-constituted government, such as, rebellion, insurrection, violation of the firearms laws, or any crime against national security unless restored to his (or her) full civil and political rights in accordance with law; and
3. Insane or incompetent person as declared by competent authority unless subsequently declared by proper authority that such person is no longer insane or incompetent.

The records of registered voters who possess the above disqualifications will be deactivated.

Documentary Requirements

A person has to establish his (or her) identity upon filing his (or her) application. The following are valid identification documents:

1. Employee’s identification card (ID), with the signature of the employer or authorized representative;
2. Postal ID ;
3. PWD Discount ID;
4. Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority;
5. Senior Citizen’s ID;
6. Driver’s license;
7. NBI clearance;
8. Passport;
9. SSS/GSIS ID;
10. Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID;
11. License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC);
12. Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs; and
13. Any other valid ID.

In the absence of any of the above-mentioned identification documents, the applicant may be identified under oath by any registered voter of the precinct where he (or she) intends to be registered, or by any of his (or her) relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. No registered voter or relative shall be allowed to identify more than three (3) applicants.

Community Tax Certificates (cedula) and PNP clearance shall not be honored as valid identification documents for purposes of registration.

If the applicant fails to establish his (or her) identity by any of the aforementioned methods/documents, he (or she) shall not be issued an application form, nor shall his (or her) pre-accomplished application form be accepted.

Registration Procedures

Pursuant to Section 12 of Resolution No. 9853:

1. A qualified applicant need only to appear personally at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO), the local COMELEC office.
2. The applicant’s identity and residence will be verified. (Bring a valid ID with photograph and signature.)
3. The applicant’s status of registration will also be verified. This may be done using a computer application at the OEO.
4. After a successful verification of the applicant’s identity, he (or she) shall be given three (3) copies of the application forms to fill up.A blank Application Form is also available for download from this Website. This form may be downloaded and printed. It may be accomplished before proceeding to the OEO to save on time. However, it should only be signed and thumb-marked before the EO.
5. The applicant’s biometrics will then be digitally captured using the Voter Registration Machine (VRM) by an authorized VRM Operator.
6.  An Acknowledgment Receipt will be given to the applicant afterwards.

Do you have questions about Voter Registration? Read this: 12 Common Questions About Voter Registration

Source: comelec.gov.ph