eCOMELEC

In connection with the May 14, 2007 Synchronized National and Local Elections, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) through Resolution No. 7707 has prescribed a calendar of activities and periods of prohibited acts.

The last day to file an application for registration/certification as an overseas absentee voter shall be on September 30, 2006 while the deadline for filing of applications for registration, transfer, reactivation in the local registry shall be on December 31, 2006. Filing of petitions for registration in the party-list system of representation shall end on September 16, 2006.

Election period is from January 14 to June 13, 2007. During this period, electoral prohibitions shall be implemented like the carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons, organization or maintenance of reaction or strike forces and transfer of officers and employees in the Civil Service.

Starting January 15, 2007, certificates of candidacies and manifestation of intent to participate in the party-list system of representation can be filed. This shall end on February 12, 2007 for the senatorial position and for those who intend to participate in the party-list elections. For the local elective positions, the deadline shall be on March 29, 2007.

The campaign period for senators and political parties, organizations or coalitions participating under the party-list system of elections shall commence on February 13, 2007. For candidates for Member, House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal offices, campaigning shall begin on March 30, 2007. May 12, 2007 is the last day of the campaign period.

The system of continuing registration of voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) shall resume on September 15 to 28, 2006 and from October 31 to December 31, 2006.

Applicants for registration, transfer, reactivation, change of name, correction of entries, and inclusion/reinstatement of registration records can file their respective applications at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) from Sunday to Thursday during regular office hours. In areas where there are no municipal halls or in view of the existence of RIDOs or family feuds among families residing in different barangays, the Election Officer can establish sub-offices for registration purposes.

Registration in ARMM was suspended last March 18, 2005 for the purpose of the August 8, 2005 ARMM elections. Currently, there are a total of 1,308,071 registered voters in the region.

In order for dual citizens and other overseas Filipinos to have greater participation in Philippine electoral exercises, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is extending the registration period for overseas absentee voters until September 30, 2006.  This extension applies to all overseas absentee voters’ registration centers in all Philippine Posts abroad and at the POEA and NAIA registration centers.

Dual citizens who will register as overseas absentee voters shall no longer be required to execute the Affidavit of Intent to Return.  This amendment on the pertinent provisions of COMELEC Resolution No. 7447 was made due to the ruling of the Supreme Court dated 04 August 2006 in the case of Loida Nicolas-Lewis, et. Al. that residency is not required in order for a dual citizen to vote.  Following this line, previous applications of dual citizens for registration/certification as overseas absentee voters which were disapproved because they failed to execute the Affidavit of Intent to Return shall be reconsidered and approved by the Resident Election Registration Board (RERB).

“There are many dual citizens in places like Australia, Los Ageles, and San Francisco.  With this amendment, the number of registered overseas absentee voters is expected to reach 120,000 at the end of the registration period.  In New York alone, it is possible that there will be a turnout of 2,000 registrants because of this amendment,” says Commissioner Florentino A. Tuason, Jr. Chairman of the Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting.