Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10367)
The primary policy is to establish a clean, complete, permanent, and updated list of voters through the adoption of biometric technology.
The 'Commission' refers to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
Biometrics refers to the quantitative analysis that provides a positive identification of an individual such as voice, photograph, fingerprint, signature, iris, and/or other identifiable features.
A Data Capture Machine is the device which captures the biometrics of an individual.
Registered voters whose biometrics have not been captured are required to submit themselves for validation.
The City or Municipal Election Officer is responsible for conducting the validation.
The Commission shall conduct validation beginning July 1, 2013.
Voters who fail to submit for validation on or before the last day of filing of application for registration for the May 2016 elections shall be deactivated.
Deactivation refers to the removal of the registration record of the registered voter from the corresponding precinct book of voters for failure to comply with the validation process.
Yes, a deactivated voter may apply for reactivation after the May 2016 elections following the procedure provided in Section 28 of Republic Act No. 8189.
The biometric database generated shall be secured by the Commission and not used for any purpose other than electoral exercises.
No, biometrics registration is mandatory for new voters as implemented by the Commission.
Prohibited acts include prohibiting or obstructing a voter from submitting biometrics through force, intimidation, or monetary consideration, and any unjustified deactivation or reactivation of voters without due process.
They are punishable under Sections 263 and 264 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 881, as amended, known as the Omnibus Election Code.
If any part is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions shall remain valid and effective (Separability Clause).
The Act took effect fifteen days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
They must serve individual written notices by registered mail with return card to voters and post the list of concerned voters in the city or municipal bulletin board and COMELEC office.
Validation is the process of taking the biometrics of registered voters whose biometrics have not yet been captured.
The Commission shall cause the publication of the commencement of validation in two newspapers of general circulation as part of public notice.
Reactivation refers to the reinstatement of a deactivated voter to the list of registered voters.