An official of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) believes tapping the help of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players and other sports influencers would also help encourage people to register in the May 2022 polls.
"Their endorsement is a positive action to increase involvement," Namfrel Secretary General Eric Alvia said in an interview Sunday.
But, he said, aside from urging qualified voters to register, they must also be educated on the importance of becoming registered voters.
"The real reasons for involvement and engagement should be further pursued – right to suffrage, orderly succession and transition of posts, accountability, etc.," said Alvia.
Last week, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it has observed a low number of applicants in the ongoing voter registration.
But Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said this is already "expected" in view of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
"The number is quite low and that’s expected because of the pandemic," he said.
"In the last three to four weeks we only reached 250,000 transactions processed nationwide. In previous times, pre-COVID, that number is just NCR (National Capital Region), but now its nationwide," added Jimenez.
The poll official said they expect the number to still increase in the coming days.
Voter registration for the May 2022 polls resumed last Sept. 1 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 either downgraded to general community quarantine (GCQ) or modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), or if quarantine is lifted entirely.
According to the Comelec, applications for registration may be submitted from Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Office of the Election Officer.