Satellite registration activities to remain suspended despite the scheduled resumption of voter registration on September 1, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced.

In Resolution No. 10674 dated August 12, the Comelec said "the conduct of satellite registration of voters shall remain suspended until further notice."

However, the poll body said "in cities or municipalities with zero (suspect, probable, confirmed) COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days, before the actual conduct of the satellite registration, as determined by the city/municipal health officer, the Office of the Election Officer (OEOs) may conduct satellite registration, subject to additional conditions."

On Saturday, the Comelec announced the resumption of voter registration next month except in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or Modified ECQ. 

The poll body said voter registration will automatically resume in areas under ECQ or MECQ once the quarantine status is downgraded to general community quarantine (GCQ) or modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), or if quarantine is lifted entirely.

It added that voter registration in areas not currently under quarantine, or which are under MGCQ or GCQ, shall automatically be suspended upon the upgrading of their quarantine status to MECQ or ECQ. 

According to the Comelec, applications for registration may be submitted from Tuesday to Saturday, 8 A.M. to 3 P.M., at the OEO.

“As the COMELEC reopens voter registration, we are encouraging applicants to download the application forms from www.comelec.gov.ph,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.

“It is strongly recommended that downloaded forms be filled out before going to the Comelec  office for registration,” he said adding that the forms should be signed only in front of the Election Officer, at the Comelec office.

An express lane will also be provided to members of vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.

Jimenez, meantime, said anti-COVID precautions will be implemented during the voter registration such as limiting the number of people allowed inside the Comelec office to ensure compliance with physical distancing
requirements, requiring applicants to wear face masks and face shields, and encouraging them to bring their own pens. 

“Registrants will also be required to fill out a ‘Coronavirus Self-Declaration Form’ which discloses information relating to travel, contact with people with known COVID-19 infection, and symptoms being experienced,” he said. 

The poll official said persons exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 infection will not be allowed to enter the office, and will be advised to seek medical assistance.

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.