Comelec hit for not extending voters’ registration nationwide

With less than two weeks left before the voters’ registration period ends, the sole youth party in congress encouraged more youth to register amidst the grueling amount of work they have to accomplish due to the cancellation of classes.

Earlier, the Commission on Elections denied a petition to extend the voter’s registration period even after two natural disasters wreaked havoc and damaged the country.

The Comelec said it would be highly inconvenient to extend the registration now for it will delay the preparation for the 2010 elections.

Kabataan Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino urged the Comelec to return the deadline of voters registration to its original date of Dec. 15 in light of the recent tragedies that struck the nation.

“With 13 days left to register, how can the Comelec reach its target? Extending the registration period for 45 days won’t hurt,: he said. Besides, I thought the computerization of the polls is supposed to speed up election processes, from preparations to counting of ballots. If the Comelec is not capable of extending the registration period, how can we be assured that there would be no system glitches come election time?”

Marti Cabangon, Kabataan Partylist Cordillera spokesperson.also said “with the current status of the provinces today in the Cordillera, it is indifferent to expect first time voters to go out and register while recovering from the effects of the typhoons. It is very inconsiderate of the Comelec not to extend the deadline for registration given these circumstances.”

He added first time voters, mostly students will be having a hard time squeezing registration into the demands of the adjusted academic calendar.

To advance the call to register youth leaders from different organizations in Baguio will have a symbolic activity in Malcolm Square, Baguio City, the date o0f which would be announced later.