THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set April 30 and May 31 this year as deadlines for the registration of political parties and party coalitions, respectively, for the May 2022 national and local polls.
Under Resolution No. 10689, the Comelec said any group may register as a political party, except religious sects and groups that seek to achieve its goal through violence.
Qualified groups, the poll body said, may already file with the Commission their verified petition accompanied by its constitution and by-laws, platform or program of government, and such other relevant information.
A political party is defined under the Omnibus Election Code as an organized group of persons pursuing the same ideology, political ideas, or platforms of government.
The law provides that getting registered with the Comelec is necessary for parties to acquire juridical personality, qualify it for subsequent accreditation, and to entitle it to the rights and privileges granted to political parties.
The Comelec has earlier announced that party-list groups may file their petitions for registration and manifestation of intent to participate until March 31, 2021.
