The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Tuesday, Jan. 17 that voter registration applications have so far reached a total of 1,024,521.
According to a statement released by Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco, this was based on the last update on registration as of Jan. 13, 2023.
It can be recalled that the poll body is targeting to add about 1.5 to 2 million new voters by the end of the registration period. This is hoped to be achieved by encouraging more applicants to register earlier than the deadline through the intensification of programs such as satellite registration, Register Anywhere Project (RAP), and the quad-media presence (social media, television, radio, and print).
Transactions accepted in the ongoing program are the registration of new voters for both the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and the regular elections, updating and correction of record entries, reactivation, and transfer of registration.
Currently, there are a total of nine different locations for designated as RAP booths, which includes eight malls and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Main Office in Pasay City.
"Said figures do not yet reflect the total RAP output, which, as of Sunday, January 15, 2023, is already at 3,992," Laudiangco said.
He added that they expect the figures to increase as they include the final output of last week, as well as the still ongoing reception of applications.
The voter registration period for the BSKE 2023 is set to end on Jan. 31, 2023.