THE Commission on Elections is inclined to heed the call of the public and lawmakers to extend the voter registration period beyond the Sept. 30 deadline, according to spokesman James Jimenez.
“After consultation with Comelec officials, and in consideration of the public clamor, it is likely that an extension of the period of voter registration will be granted,” Jimenez said in a brief statement yesterday.
He added, however, that nothing is official until the poll body issues a resolution today, Wednesday.
Last Monday, the Comelec en banc held a meeting to deliberate on calls to extend voter registration.
Several organizations, along with netizens, have called on the poll body to extend the voter registration period.
The House of Representatives and the Senate have also passed bills compelling the poll body to extend the registration for another month.
The National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) said it plans to conduct a parallel count of the May 2022 poll results and closely monitor the automated elections system in the event that it is accredited as the citizens arm of the Comelec.
“The parallel vote tabulation is a way to help ensure transparency in the count and detect possible fraud in the consolidation of results,” said Namfrel, which conducted operation quick counts from 1984 to 2007.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chief Benhur Abalos said the agency will implement one-way traffic scheme at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex next week as the filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 9, 2022 starts.
Abalos said the one-way traffic scheme will begin on Oct. 1, Friday at 5 a.m. until Oct. 8 to avoid traffic congestion in the area. — With Noel Talacay
