THE Commission on Elections is now considering allowing people with passports, which were issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), to register without any “personal appearance.”
Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon disclosed they are now studying a plan to make use of the biometric data of the DFA so those with existing passports can register online with Comelec.
To note, applicants are required to go to Comelec offices or satellite registration centers to become a registered voter since the Comelec personnel would have to get their finger prints, signature and picture.
If the plan is approved by the DFA, it will be more convenient for both local voters and overseas absentee voters to register, especially those who are vulnerable like persons with disabilities (PWD), the elderly and pregnant women, Guanzon said.
“This online method of registration needs no personal appearance and will encourage Filipinos all over the world and within the country who have passports to register,” Guanzon said.
Yet another advantage of the scheme, the poll official said, is that it no longer needs to go through Congress to be enforced.
“We don’t need a law for this. Means and methods of elections is the sole discretion of Comelec, according to Supreme Court rulings,” Guanzon said.
Guanzon described the scheme as “not only timely, but also necessary” as the government attempt to minimize any physical gatherings and interactions due to the ongoing novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The proposed schemed was already unanimously approved by the Comelec en banc.
2 comments
I agree with the proposal ,im a former ofw so registering will benefit me and the rest of ofw.
Totally agree as Government needs to find alternative solutions to avoid physical contact especially during this pandemic. If they can use the data from other government sources and work in synergy, why not do that. It is high time to look moving out of manual processes. All businesses are moving to digitalization, the government needs to level up as well. Can also be a solution to avoid flying voters.