Voters registration: An opportunity to participate in democracy

“Every vote counts” is a slogan that comes around whenever elections are held.  It’s repeated by candidates, supporters, and leaders of church and civic groups to encourage every voter to make time to go out and vote.

Yes, every vote counts to support our democracy.  The convincing and loud voices of supporters who argue and encourage people to vote for their candidates will not count if they – or their audience – are not registered voters.

The youth, who have been empowered by social media to openly say their opinions and gather a following, should act as agents to encourage their followers, especially those who had recently reached the voting age of 18, to register.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has announced that voters’ registration will resume on Feb. 12, 2024, from 8 a.m to 5 p.m., including Saturdays and holidays, until Sept. 30.  It has also established many ways to register.  The new voters can file applications personally at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) where the applicant resides, or at the venues under the Register Anywhere Program (RAP).

Started as a pilot program in December 2022, the RAP will now be set up in various venues in all capital cities and towns and highly urbanized cities (HUCs) nationwide. At the RAP registration site, a qualified registrant will be allowed to file an application regardless of place of residence.
These registration sites will be set up in malls, universities, or government offices, and will be conducted until Aug. 31, 2024 to allow more people, especially those with limited time, to register.

These types of applications shall be accepted in RAP sites – new registration; transfer of registration from another city, municipality or district; transfer of registration from overseas to local; correction of entries or change of status; and reactivation.

Filipino citizens of voting age who will be abroad during the May 2025 National and Local Elections can register as overseas voter until Sept. 30. 2024.
The applicant must bring a valid Philippine Passport, fill out the OVF1 form which can be downloaded from the official Comelec website, and submit it at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate, where biometrics data will complete the process.

With the various venues and the length of the registration periods, plus a “massive” information campaign for qualified voters to register, the Comelec expects some three million new registered voters to vote in the 2025 elections, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said.

New voters should make time to register to vote. The 2025 elections present an opportunity to participate in democracy and influence the path of our nation.   They can participate in addressing government action on issues that they are familiar with, such  as climate change, regulating social media, employment opportunities, and social justice. Their votes can become a powerful instrument for advocating change.

Voting is not merely a civic duty; it is a powerful tool for shaping the future of our nation. The first step, registering with the Comelec, allows new voters to actively contribute to the democratic process, ensuring that their voices are heard and their choices reflected in the governance of their country.