Policy, declared purpose, and intent
- The State adopts a policy to establish a clean, complete, permanent and updated list of voters through the adoption of biometric technology.
Key definitions for biometric registration
- The Commission refers to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
- Biometrics means the quantitative analysis that provides positive identification of an individual such as voice, photograph, fingerprint, signature, iris, and/or such other identifiable features.
- A Data Capture Machine (DCM) is the device that captures the biometrics of an individual.
- Validation is the process of taking the biometrics of registered voters whose biometrics have not yet been captured.
- Deactivation is the removal of a voter’s registration record from the corresponding precinct book of voters for failure to comply with validation as required by the Act.
- Reactivation is the reinstatement of a deactivated voter.
Coverage and who must validate
- Registered voters whose biometrics have not been captured must submit themselves for validation.
- The City or Municipal Election Officer is the officer who conducts validation.
- Validation commences through COMELEC starting July 1, 2013, consistent with continuing registration under Republic Act No. 8189.
- Voter participation for deactivation purposes is tied to the last day of filing of application for registration for purposes of the May 2016 elections.
Publication, notice, and local posting
- COMELEC must cause publication of the commencement of validation in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
- The City or Municipal Election Officer must serve individual written notices by registered mail with return card to voters concerned at their latest address in the voter registration record.
- The City or Municipal Election Officer must post the list of voters concerned in the city or municipal bulletin board.
- The City or Municipal Election Officer must also post the list in the local COMELEC office.
Deactivation and reactivation rules
- Voters who fail to submit for validation on or before the last day of filing of application for registration for purposes of the May 2016 elections must be deactivated pursuant to the Act.
- Deactivated voters may apply for reactivation after the May 2016 elections.
- Reactivation must follow the procedure provided in Section 28 of Republic Act No. 8189.
Mandatory biometrics system and security
- COMELEC must implement a mandatory biometrics registration system for new voters.
- The database generated by biometric registration must be secured by COMELEC.
- The biometric database must not be used, under any circumstance, for any purpose other than electoral exercises.
Election offenses and prohibited acts
- Election offenses under Sections 263 and 264 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 881 (Omnibus Election Code), as amended, apply to the following:
- Any person who prohibits, impedes, obstructs, or prevents a registered voter or a new voter from submitting biometrics for capture through force, intimidation, or monetary consideration.
- Any public official or person who, under the guise of implementing the Act, unjustifiably and without due process causes the deactivation or reactivation of any registered voter.
Implementing rules and regulations
- COMELEC must promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of the Act.
Separability and repealing clause
- If any part of the Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions remain valid and effective.
- All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the Act are repealed or modified accordingly.