Philippine Voter Registration and Procedures Act

"Registration" means filing a sworn application and approval by the Election Registration Board
"Permanent list," "Book of Voters," and "List of Voters" define the compilation and certification process of voter data
Definitions include key entities: COMELEC, Election Registration Board, Precinct, Election Officer, Political Parties, Voter's Identification Number (VIN), among others
Illiterate or disabled persons receive special registration assistance

Precincts are delineated by COMELEC based on geographical compactness
Each barangay has at least one precinct, with a max of 200 voters per precinct
Spin-off precincts created post-1998 elections when voter count exceeds limits
Precinct maps to be posted publicly in barangays and polling places
Alterations to precinct boundaries require proper notice and are prohibited close to elections

General registration conducted periodically, specifically noted for 1997 and subsequent elections
Continuing registration available daily except during restricted periods before elections
Personal filing of application is required

Filipinos at least 18 years old, with residence requirements, may register
Temporary absences due to occupation or detention do not affect residency qualification
Registration requires detailed personal information and physical characteristics including signatures, thumbprints, and photos
Illiterate and disabled persons assisted by designated officials or accredited citizens' arms

Comprised of Election Officer (Chair), senior public school official, and local civil registrar or treasurer
Members cannot be closely related to each other or local elective officials
Handles applications, conducts hearings with notices to political parties, and issues approvals or disapprovals
Members receive honoraria; no travel expenses covered

Applications may be challenged by voters, candidates, or political parties
Hearings scheduled quarterly with notice requirements
Election Officer empowered to administer oaths and issue subpoenas
Judicial remedies for inclusion or exclusion filed in Municipal or Metropolitan Trial Courts
Decisions appealable to Regional Trial Courts with strict timelines

Approved applications compiled in precinct books, provincial files, and national central files
Permanent computerized voter lists to be maintained by COMELEC
Voter Identification Cards issued and designed to be tamper-proof
Voter Identification Number (VIN) uniquely assigned to every voter with components representing address, precinct, birthdate, and name code

Registration deactivated for imprisonment, disloyalty crimes, insanity, non-voting in two successive regular elections, loss of citizenship, or court order
Procedures require notification and posting of deactivated voters lists
Reactivation possible upon certification that disqualifying cause no longer exists
Cancellation of registration upon death certified by local civil registrar

Certified lists posted in public offices before elections with copies provided to candidates and political parties
Sealing of precinct books at the start of campaign period after verification to ensure integrity

Includes illicit transfer or use of voter ID cards, refusal of ID issuance, appointment of ineligible board members, tampering with registration data or computers, failure to provide voter lists, and posting irregular voter lists
Penalties: imprisonment from 1 to 6 years without probation, disqualification from office, loss of suffrage, fines for political parties, and deportation for foreigners

Adequate funding allocated for registration activities
Creation of a multi-partisan Monitoring and Evaluation Committee to oversee registration implementation
Commission tasked with promulgating implementing rules and regulations
Provisions on jurisdiction, procedures, costs, and remedies for voter registration issues

This Act comprehensively reforms voter registration to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and integrity in Philippine elections.