A Church-based poll watchdog encouraged Philippine dioceses to help urge voters to register for next year’s elections.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting announced that it will formally ask the dioceses to help raise awareness on the importance of voting.
“We are collaborating with dioceses for this campaign to encourage everyone, from the youth, those deactivated, and even OFWs, to get registered and reactivated,” said Maria Isabel Buenaobra, PPCRV executive director.
She said voting in the May 2022 presidential elections is important because it gives people a voice about who they want in office and it is an opportunity for change.
“Let us get registered because the May 2022 polls is a high-stakes election. We need to use our rights to vote,” said Buenaobra.
Data from the Commission on Elections show that about 3.7 million applicants for voter registration have applied since January 2020.
Elections officials estimate that there will be some 4 million new applicants or those that just turned 18, who will get registered.
The poll body is also looking at some 1.5 million applications being filed for other types of transactions including transfer from other municipality and correction of entries, among others.
The Elections commission has earlier said it is unlikely to extend the nationwide registration period beyond the Sept. 30, 2021, deadline as they prepare for the May 9 polls.
