QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 8189)
To systematize voter registration to establish a clean, complete, permanent, and updated list of voters.
A “Registration Record” is a duly approved application. The “Book of Voters” is the compilation of registration records per precinct. The “List of Voters” is the certified enumeration of registered voters in a precinct for use in elections.
Immediately after the 1997 barangay elections, the existing certified list ceases. General registration is conducted before the Board of Election Inspectors on June 14, 15, 21 and 22, 1997, and optionally on June 28 and 29, 1997 as the COMELEC may decide.
Personal filing of applications is conducted daily in the Election Officer’s office during regular office hours, but no registration during the 120 days before a regular election and the 90 days before a special election.
All Philippine citizens not disqualified by law who are at least 18 years old, have resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and have resided in the place where they will vote for at least six months immediately preceding the election.
No. Temporary residence for specified reasons (occupation/employment, educational activities, military/police service, confinement/detention, etc.) does not count as loss of original residence.
The application includes personal data (name, sex, birth details, citizenship, civil status if married, profession), residence periods, exact address/sitio and barangay, statements of voter qualifications and that the applicant is not registered elsewhere, and other COMELEC-required data. It also requires three specimen signatures, rolled thumbprints (left and right), and four identification-size copies of the latest photograph at COMELEC expense.
Those sentenced by final judgment to imprisonment of at least one year (unless rights reacquired after five years), those convicted of crimes involving disloyalty to the government/anti-subversion/firearms/national security crimes (unless rights restored; rights reacquire automatically after five years), and insane or incompetent persons declared as such by competent authority (unless later declared no longer insane/incompetent).
A voter’s precinct assignment in the permanent list shall not be changed or altered or transferred without the voter’s express written consent, which cannot be unreasonably withheld; violation is an election offense.
Original precincts are created for the general registration. No territory comprising an election precinct shall be altered or a new precinct established at the start of the election period. Splitting/merger of original precincts is not allowed without redrawing precinct maps 120 days before election day.
Each barangay has at least one precinct; each precinct has no more than 200 voters and should comprise contiguous and compact territories (with limited exceptions allowing under-200 precincts, e.g., automatic daughter precincts after reaching 200, or certain islands/groups).
In each city/municipality there is an Election Registration Board per election officer. The board is chaired by the Election Officer, and members include the most senior public school official and the local civil registrar (or treasurer in absence). Substitutions are made by COMELEC in cases of disqualification/non-availability. Members cannot be related to each other or to incumbent elective officials within the 4th civil degree; if related, the member is automatically disqualified in succeeding elections.
Upon receipt, the Election Officer sets the application for hearing, with notice posted for at least one week and copies furnished to the applicant and relevant parties/groups. The board hears and processes applications on a quarterly basis (third Monday of April, July, October, January), with day-to-day adjournment if needed.
Any voter, candidate, or representative of a registered political party may challenge in writing under oath, attached to the application and with proof of notice. Oppositions must be filed no later than the second Monday of the month scheduled for hearing/processing; the hearing is on the third Monday, and decisions must be rendered before month-end.
Upon approval, a VIN is assigned and an identification card issued. If disapproved, a certificate of disapproval is furnished. Any aggrieved party may file a petition for inclusion or exclusion with the proper Municipal or Metropolitan Trial Court as provided by the Act.
A certified list is prepared and posted 90 days before a regular election and 60 days before a special election, and copies are furnished to provincial/regional/national central files. Copies are also posted in the Election Officer’s office and city/municipal hall bulletin boards, and provided (upon payment of fees) to candidates and party heads. Two certified copies are provided to the Board of Election Inspectors for posting/reference at the polling place.