Comelec to tap ‘Register Anywhere’ system for general voter list-up

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is planning to fully utilize the “Register Anywhere” system if its proposal to have the current voters list annulled and hold a general voter registration activity is approved.

Comelec chairman George Garcia said the system will make the general voter registration activity less tedious.

“In the event that we will be allowed to conduct general registration nationwide, we will utilize the Register Anywhere Program (RAP),” said Garcia in an interview during the weekend.

“This means that if you are in Manila but is from Bicol or Visayas or Mindanao, you can get registered where you are studying or working. You won’t need to go home to the provinces,” he said, adding: “We want to make voter registration more accessible to the people.”

The Comelec pilot tested the RAP in select malls and government institutions when it conducted voter registration activities back on December 12, 2022 until January 31, 2023 for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Under the RAP, any qualified applicant residing anywhere in the Philippines may register at RAP booths by submitting their application form, documentary requirements, and have their biometrics taken on-site.

The submitted documents and captured biometrics data shall then be endorsed and transmitted by the recipient RAP teams to the Office of the Election Officer of the district/city/municipality that have jurisdiction over the residence of the applicant.

Meanwhile, back in July, Garcia first raised the idea of the annulment of the list of registered voters and give way to the holding of a general registration of voters.

He said the proposal aims to end all questions on the accuracy of the voters list being used by the Comelec every election.

Garcia said the general voter registration activity may be held after the 2025 elections.