Voter list-up in MECQ areas resumes

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VOTER registration in areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) resumes today, as announced by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last week.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, in his Twitter account, said list-up in MECQ areas will be held daily, including holidays, except Sundays, until September 30.

“Patriots! Voter Registration in MECQ areas starts September 6, and will run from Mondays to Saturdays, 8 am – 5 pm,” Jimenez said, adding all types of applications can be submitted at the Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) in all local government units (LGUs).

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Satellite voter registration activities, including those in shopping malls, are also permitted, with the schedules to be posted at the official online channels of the poll body well as in the bulletin boards of OEOs.

“Bring your accomplished application forms, a valid ID, and a photocopy of the valid ID. You might also be asked to present additional proof of residence,” Jimenez said.

PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar, meanwhile, police chiefs and area commanders to intensify the campaign against loose firearms as part of security preparations for next year’s national and local elections.

Eleazar said the order complements an earlier order he issued against all private armed groups, a move that he said will ensure goons will not be employed to sow violence during the polls.

“I have already instructed all our chiefs of police and area commanders to intensify the accounting of loose firearms as part of our early preparation for the peaceful, honest and orderly conduct of elections next year,” said Eleazar.

“This includes intensified operations against gun-running syndicates and firearms with expired licenses because these could be used as instruments to sow violence and to influence the result of the 2022 elections,” he said.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 10718, all OEOs in MECQ areas are directed to implement i-Rehistro/online appointment system of applicants in areas with stable/strong internet connectivity.

Walk-in applicants will also be entertained through strict numbering/queuing or other system.

“Our field personnel have been directed to conduct registration in MECQ areas in a limited capacity, and to use an appointment system, but allow walk-in applicants through a strict numbering or other system,” said Jimenez.

The Comelec said that OEOs will automatically suspend the registration of voters, without need of further authority from the body, in case the MECQ status transitions to total lockdown status or enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

The poll body also said OEOs will continue the registration of voters if the MECQ status transitions to general community quarantine (GCQ), or modified GCQ (MGCQ).

Still under MECQ up to September 7 are Metro Manila, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Bulacan, Bataan, Cavite, Lucena City, Rizal, Laguna, Aklan, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Cagayan de Oro City.

Eleazar said police chiefs and area commanders should encourage gun owners to renew the license of their firearms.

Based on PNP data, Eleazar said there are 664,480 firearms, owned by private individuals, with expired licenses as of second quarter of 2021.

Eleazar said the PNP intelligence community is validating information as to the number of loose firearms in the hands of criminal syndicates, communist rebels, and other threat groups. — With Victor Reyes

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