Voter registration will remain suspended in Metro Manila.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, August 20, announced the suspension of voter registration and issuance of voter's certification in all Offices of the Election Officer (OEO) in the National Capital Region (NCR) from Aug. 21 to 31.
"Including satellite registration in barangays, malls, other venues," read the advisory of the poll body.
It cited the implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) as reason.
In separate advisories, the Comelec also announced the suspension of voter registration and issuance of voter's certification in all OEOs in Laguna and Bataan due to MECQ.
The poll body, meantime, said that the new registration schedule will automatically take effect in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or MECQ where voter registration is suspended, once said quarantine classification is downgraded to general community quarantine (GCQ), modified GCQ (MGCQ) or any lower quarantine status.
The Comelec earlier extended the voter registration hours until 7 p.m. starting Aug. 23.
The new voter registration schedule is 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays and holidays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"The conduct of registration, which includes satellite registration in malls, barangays, schools or universities and other public places, continues in areas which are under GCQ, MGCQ or any lower quarantine status," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.
"As per current guidelines, Saturdays are dedicated to satellite registration so that our field personnel can accommodate a higher number of registrants in more accessible and convenient places," he added.
"However, the OEO may conduct Saturday registration in their respective offices if going to malls, barangays and other satellite sites is not feasible under the guidelines," said Jimenez.
The deadline for voter registration is on Sept. 30.