An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday, Oct. 4 admitted that the schedule of the preparations for the May 2022 polls will be "very tight" with the extension of the voter registration period.
"Because of the extension of the registration, our elbow room for the preparation for the 2022 elections is really very tight," Comelec Commissioner Antonio Kho said in an interview at the sidelines of the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) at Sofitel Tent in Pasay City.
He cited the printing of ballots as an example.
"If there will be an infection...there will be a lockdown. It would really affect the process," Kho said.
He said delivery schedules may also be affected if a ship headed to the province encounter typhoons.
"The reason why originally we scheduled it end of September is to give us elbow room later on so that, in case these situations develop, we can have a response immediately," Kho said.
"Nevertheless we are not really complaining... I have full faith and confidence in Comelec that we can address this. and we have a safe election come 2022," he added.
Republic Act 11591, which was signed by President Duterte, sets the last day for the filing of voter registration applications “30 days after the effectivity” of the law.