The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has stood by on its decision of extending overseas voter registration only until Thursday, Oct. 14.
Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said that the preparations for the overseas voting is much different compared to the local settings.
"The difference in extension periods is necessary and due to the unique circumstances of overseas voting," said Jimenez on Friday, Oct. 15.
"The preparatory activities have a much tighter timetable, considering that voting overseas starts thirty days before the local elections do," he added.
The Comelec extended the local voter registration period from Oct. 11 to 30, while for overseas voter registration was from Oct. 1 to 14.
Jimenez said that the extension periods were also discussed by the Congress.
“This has been communicated to both (the) House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, and also to the Senate Committee of Electoral Reforms and People's Participation,” he said.
Some groups of overseas Filipino workers called on the poll body to extend the overseas voter registration deadline until Oct. 30.