Regardless of one’s opinion on Philippine elections, the act of voting remains a sacred duty of every qualified Filipino voter. Registration is a prerequisite to vote. Here is a basic primer on the continuing registration of voters.

What is the date, time and place of filing of application for registration? Applications for registration, transfer of registration records, reactivation and changes/corrections of entries in the registration records/inclusion of registration records/reinstatement of name in the list of voters, shall be personally filed beginning December 2, 2008 to December 15, 2009, at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) of the district/city/municipality where the applicant resides from Monday to Friday, during regular office hours at 8:00 o’clock a.m. to 5:00 o’clock p.m.

Who may register? Any Filipino citizen who is:

1. At least eighteen (18) years of age;
2. A resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein he proposes to vote for at least six (6) months on or before the day of the election; and
3. Not otherwise disqualified by law.

Any person, who has not yet reached the required voting age or period of residence on the day of registration but will possess the same on or before the day of election (May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections) may register as a voter. The applications for this group of persons shall be filed not earlier than May 12, 2009.

Who are disqualified to register? The following are disqualified from registering as a voter:

1. Any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment of not less than one (1) year, such disability not having been removed by plenary pardon or amnesty;
2. Any person who has been adjudged by final judgment of a competent court or tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted government, such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms laws, or any crime against national security; and
3. Insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority unless subsequently declared by proper authority that such person is no longer insane or incompetent.

Any person disqualified to register under paragraphs (1) and (2) above shall automatically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration of five (5) years after service of sentence.

Where can we get the Application Forms? Application forms for Registration (CEF-1A) are available, free of charge, at the Office of the Election Officer. The form may also be downloaded from the COMELEC website (click here). In case of the downloaded form, the applicant shall print the application form and accomplish the same in three (3) copies, to be signed and thumbmarked only in the presence of the EO.

What is the procedure for filing of applications for registration? The applicant shall personally appear before the EO, state his name and exact address, specifying the house number, name of street, area, district, purok or sitio, and barangay where he resides, or a brief description of his residence, and present any of the following current identification documents that bears applicant’s photograph and signature:

1. Employee’s identification card (ID) with the signature of the employer or authorized representative;
2. Postal ID;
3. Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority;
4. Senior Citizen’s ID;
5. Driver’s license;
6. NBI/PNP clearance;
7. Passport;
8. SSS/GSIS ID;
9. Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID;
10. License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC); and
11. Any other valid ID.

In the absence of any of these identification documents, the applicant may be identified under oath by any registered voter of the precinct, or by any of his relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity who are registered voters of the same city/municipality.

Community Tax Certificates (cedula) or certifications/identification cards issued by barangay officials shall not be honored as valid identification documents.

If the identity of the applicant cannot be established by any of the aforementioned methods, he shall not be issued an application form.  In case of downloaded application forms, the same shall not be accepted.

What about illiterate, disabled or differently-abled applicants? Any illiterate or disabled/differently-abled person may be assisted in the preparation of his application form by any relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or if he has none, by any person of his confidence who belongs to the same household, or by the Election Officer. In no case shall an assistor, except the Election Officer, assist more than three (3) times. All assistors must be of voting age.

What is the governing law/COMELEC resolution for continuing registration?

Republic Act No. 8189, also known as “The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996” (full text), provides for a general registration of voters, adopting a system of continuing registration and prescribing the procedures thereof.

On 12 November 2008, the COMELEC issued Resolution No. 8514, which provides for the Rules and Regulations on the Resumption of the System of Continuing Registration of Voters in the Non-ARMM Areas. As the name suggests, these rules shall apply in all areas nationwide, except in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).