Final day before the cutoff for voter registration for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections is expected to draw a heavy influx of applicants, as both church-based groups and election officials intensify calls for qualified Filipinos to secure their registration on time.
A Church-based poll watchdog group has urged Filipinos who are not yet registered voters to sign up, two days before the deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In a social media post Saturday, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) reminded those who have yet to register for the BSKE scheduled Nov. 2 to visit the Comelec office in their area and register.
“Make your vote count! Register now!” the group said “Registration ends on May 18, 2026 at 5 p.m.”
“Bring a valid government ID with you. Valid student ID will,” the PPCRV added.
Filipinos who are 18 years old and above may apply as regular voters while those aged 15 to 17 years may apply as youth voters.
Latest Comelec data showed that 4,740,551 applications for voter registration have already been received nationwide from Oct. 20, 2025, when the registration started, to May 9 this year.
Aside from applications for new voters, other types of applications accepted during registration activities include transfer, change status, correction of entries, and reactivation.
In Mandaue City, the Commission on Elections Office of the Election Officer (OEO) is also preparing for an expected surge in registrants as the deadline nears.
Election Assistant Dannah Darrien Godoy said the office expects turnout to double compared to the usual daily number on the final day of registration.
“Nag-expect mi nga managhan ug mudagsa ang magparehistro,” Godoy said.
She added that the office is preparing to accommodate at least 500 to 1,000 registrants on Monday, May 18, the last day of voter registration for the BSKE scheduled on November 2, 2026.
Comelec-Mandaue has also encouraged qualified voters, especially first-time registrants and those applying for transfer or reactivation, to complete their registration early to avoid long queues and possible disenfranchisement.
“Nag-awhag mi sa katong wala pa nagparehistro nga muari na kay hapit na mo-end ang atong registration,” Godoy said.
The office also reminded applicants to bring valid identification cards and other required documents when visiting registration centers.
No registration activities are scheduled on Sunday, May 17.
Photo courtesy of Asia Society
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