Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 5178)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 5178 is to facilitate the implementation of Republic Act No. 3588, as amended, specifically regarding the registration of voters for the year 1967 only. It extends registration periods, provides for additional registration boards, and grants additional powers to the Commission on Elections.
Qualified voters could register on any date not later than October 15, 1967. However, under certain conditions, registration could be extended until October 27, 1967.
The registration period may be extended up to October 27, 1967, if the two major political parties' representatives in any registration board jointly request it or if the Commission finds that more than 10% of voters from the 1965 elections in any precinct were unable to register by October 15, 1967.
Validation of approved voter registration applications shall continue until October 27, 1967.
Voters whose applications were disapproved on or before September 15, 1967 may file petitions for inclusion until September 30, 1967. Those disapproved after September 15 must file within 10 days from notice of disapproval. In all cases, municipal courts must decide within 2 days, with appeal rights to the Court of First Instance.
Petitions for exclusion based on applications validated or approved on or before September 15, 1967, may be filed by September 30, 1967. For those approved after September 15, petitions must be filed within 10 days from the date validation or approval is published in the bulletin board, but not later than October 30, 1967. Decisions must be made within 7 days.
If no qualified persons are available, the Commission on Elections may appoint qualified voters who are at least high school graduates as additional election registrars.
The city or municipal treasurer shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the election registrar if the latter is absent or unable to perform duties temporarily. If both are absent or incapacitated, the election clerk acts as substitute.
Yes, upon request, the election registrar, his clerk, or any member of the election registration board may assist applicants in filling out the application form. However, they may not fill or write any data that the applicant is required by law to write themselves.
All precinct books of voters shall be sealed on October 30, 1967, and thereafter will not be available for public examination.
Yes, the Commission on Elections, after notice and hearing, may modify or waive the requirements for affixing photographs on applications and identification cards to prevent disenfranchisement, but photographs must be attached as soon as possible after the 1967 election.