Comelec extends voter reg deadline in N Luzon due to Typhoon Julian

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has given its regional offices in Northern Luzon affected by Typhoon Julian the authority to extend voter registration deadlines.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia announced that while the original deadline for voter registration was set for Monday, September 30, regional offices can decide whether to suspend and reschedule registrations due to ongoing weather conditions. Local Comelec officials may also hold a special registration day after the Certificate of Candidacy filing period begins on October 1.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco noted that voter registration was suspended in Batanes on Monday due to Typhoon Julian, but they expect numbers to increase as more applications are processed from Saturday through today.

Regional offices have discretion to reset the registration period to a later date, potentially coinciding with COC filing starting October 1 until October 8. Local Comelec officials may also suspend COC filings if weather conditions warrant it.

Earlier this week, Comelec advised eligible voters to register at election officer or satellite registration office locations from Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Voters must bring one of several valid government-issued IDs, such as a PhilSys National ID card, Postal ID card, PWD ID card, or LTO driver's license.