The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that the resumption of voter registration will be on September 1, 2020.
Areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or Modified General Community Quratantine (MGCQ) or quarantine is lifted, these areas will automatically resume its registration, however the areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) will remain suspended. Meanwhile, they also mentioned that if these areas under GCQ and MGCQ will be then again lifted to ECQ or MECQ registration will automatically be suspended again.
COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement “ As the comelec reopens the vote registration, we are encouraging applicants to download the application forms from http://www.comelec.gov.ph.” as he added “It is strongly recommended that downloaded forms may be filled out before going to the Comelec Officer for registration, but the forms should be signed only in front of the Election Officer at the Comelec office.”
Poll body mentioned that the registration forms may be submitted at the Office of Election Officer, from Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m to 3 p.m. Poll body also assured that the safety precautions against the Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) will be strictly implemented at the COMELEC Office. This will include the limiting of individuals coming inside the office to ensure that the requirements for social distancing would still be strongly implemented, as well as the wearing of face mask and face shield. They also encourage every applicant to bring their own pen, this is to refrain or even lessen the contact with another person.
Jimenez also mentioned that “Registrants will also be required to fill out a ‘Coronavirus Self-Declaration Form’ which disclose information relating to travel, contact with people with known COVID-19 infection, and symptoms being experienced” As he added, “Persons exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 infection will not be allowed to enter the office and will be advised to seek medical assistance.”
For Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and pregnant women, an express lane will be provided to assure that they can be accommodated right away.
COMELEC said; “In order to ensure a safe environment at all times, all Comelec offices nationwide will conduct daily disinfection and decontamination of their premises as well as the voter registration machine and peripherals, furniture and equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces.”