(Photo courtesy of PNA)
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is targeting three million additional registered voters during a nine-month registration period beginning November 10 in preparation for the May 2028 national and local elections.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said Thursday that the poll body expects the country’s registered voter population to increase from approximately 71 million to 74 million.
“Nationwide, we plan to register about 3 million voters. Currently, we have 71 million voters; so, there will be approximately 74 million voters for the 2028 national and local elections,” Garcia said during an interview at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.
The registration period will run until July 30, 2027, two months earlier than the original September 30 deadline.
Garcia explained that the adjustment would give the commission sufficient time to verify voter records, identify possible duplicate registrations and ensure that prospective candidates are registered in the areas where they intend to seek public office.
“The registration period is nine months, in preparation for the national and local elections, it will conclude early, on July 30. Originally, it was set to end on September 30. We moved the date to July to ensure that those who file a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) are indeed registered voters (of the area they are seeking to be elected), leaving no room for doubt,” he said.
The Comelec chief said all voter registration applications must undergo evaluation and approval by Election Registration Boards (ERBs).
Approved applications will then be processed through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), which compares fingerprints and other identifying information against existing voter records to detect possible multiple registrations.
“Furthermore, we want to clean up the voter list promptly. All applications must be approved by the Election Registration Boards (ERBs). Once approved, they undergo the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) process; every signature and fingerprint is cross-referenced against our existing database to detect any double registrations. We aim to complete this cleansing process before the end of 2027,” Garcia added.
Garcia also reminded prospective registrants to bring valid government-issued identification documents when applying.
He clarified that barangay certifications and community tax certificates, commonly known as cedula, will no longer be accepted as proof of identity.
“Do not bring a barangay certification or a cedula (community tax certificate). These are not permitted. While they may have been accepted in the past, this time, a barangay certification will not be allowed as proof of identity for the registrant. Please bring a government-issued ID—just not a cedula or a barangay certification,” he said.
Comelec monitors Mayon activity ahead of Naga plebiscite
Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec is monitoring developments at Mayon Volcano ahead of the November 21 plebiscite in Naga City, Camarines Sur.
He said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the Comelec regional office had not issued warnings indicating an immediate threat to the scheduled voting activity.
“Currently, neither Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) nor our regional office has issued any warnings regarding developments at Mayon,” Garcia said.
“Camarines Sur is also quite far from the area—it’s nearly a three-hour trip from Legazpi—so there is currently no threat,” he added.
Mayon Volcano has shown increased activity following a moderately explosive eruption on October 30, prompting Phivolcs to raise its alert status to Level 3.
Despite the volcanic unrest, Garcia said preparations for the Naga City plebiscite are continuing.
He disclosed that the plebiscite would require approximately Php 50 million, with the Naga City government contributing Php 20 million and Comelec covering the remaining Php 30 million.
“We are willing to help them… In the meantime, we will shoulder the P30 million,” Garcia said.
The poll body said it would continue monitoring conditions in the region while preparing for the plebiscite and the nationwide voter registration campaign.
