CAMPAIGN TRAIL

At least eight million voters will be disenfranchised if the mandatory biometrics registration will be implemented in the upcoming 2013 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. disclosed that they wouldn’t be able to take the biometric data of the eight million voters since the registration period already ended last October 31.

“Maaapektuhan kung magiging batas na. Kasi madi-disenfranchise lahat ng registered under the old listing. Those who were not able to register under the biometrics will not be allowed to vote if it becomes mandatory,” Brillantes said in an interview at the Comelec headquarters.

To date, Brillantes said that there are around eight million registered voters and also huge numbers of transfer registrants from one precinct to another that do not have biometrics.

“Mga eight million na hindi pa nakakapasok sa biometrics … as of October 12. Ngayon, yung October 12 up to 31, malaki-laki registration noon. Hindi ko alam, kasi kung transferee ka, you are in the old list,” the Comelec chief explained.

Brillantes hopes that if Senate Bill 1030 will be passed, the implementation will take place on the 2016 presidential elections instead.

“Dapat, to be fair to those who were registered under the old list, parang may retro effect e,” Brillantes said.

On Monday, the Senate approved on the third and final reading a proposed measure requiring all qualified voters to undergo biometrics registration before being allowed to vote.

Under the measure, all registered voters, whose biometrics have not been captured, to appear before election officers and have their photographs, fingerprints, signatures and other identifiable features captured through biometrics.

The Comelec has long been using the biometric registration system but it is not yet a requirement to vote.

Brillantes said that the only way they will re-open the registration period is if the Supreme Court or lawmakers require the Comelec to do so.

Earlier, the Kabataan party-list had sought the intervention of the Supreme Court to order the Comelec to extend the registration period to January 12, 2013.

“Ayaw na nga namin mag-extend… unless sabihin ng SC. Kung sabihin ng SC na up to January 12, baka aabot yung mga walang biometrics,” Brilliantes said.

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/35364-8-million-may-lose-right-to-vote