CHIZ BLASTS COMELEC FOR SHUTTING DOOR
ON EXTENSION OF REGISTRATION

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday criticized the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for rejecting his proposal to extend the deadline of registration of new voters from October 31 to December this year.

"There is no legal impediment to COMELEC extending the deadline of registration to December; the problem is logistical, specifically as regards the printing of the ballots," the 39-year old lawmaker said.

"The COMELEC, if it wanted to, could make the necessary adjustments should it extend the deadline for registration. Surely, the right of suffrage outweighs its logistical concerns," he added.

Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws, had made the call in response to data showing that only 800,000 new voters have registered--a far cry from Comelec's target of three million. He said as many as five million new voters could qualify if the deadline is moved to December.

"The Comelec should ask itself whether it has done enough to campaign for registration of new voters. It should find out why only so little has answered its call," he said.

The COMELEC has said that extending the deadline would effect the period allocated for the printing of the ballots because it needs to know the number of registered voters to be able to print the exact number of ballots for the 2010 elections.

Escudero pointed out that while registration has been ongoing, many students from the provinces currently studying in Metro Manila, and cities like Cebu, Davao, and Baguio will only have two opportunities to go home to their respective hometowns to register to vote: the semestral break, which usually falls during the latter part of October, and the Christmas break in December.

"For less fortunate students who cannot afford to shuttle back and forth from the provinces, some may only be able to head home this December."

Extending the deadline, Escudero said, will allow these students to go home and vote for local officials whom they think can better serve their communities.

Individuals need to register in the municipalities or cities where they will cast their vote. A student from Bicol, for example, who registers in Manila, would have to vote in Manila.

Escudero also emphasized that since the elections will fall during the summer vacation of students, it makes more sense for them to register in their respective hometowns, not where their schools are located.