Comelec eyes exceeding 3-million voter registration target

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is optimistic it will surpass its target of registering 3 million additional voters for the 2028 national and local elections after recording nearly 80,000 applications nationwide in the first two days of registration.

“The 3 million that we plan to register until July 30, 2027, it won’t just be reached. It looks like we’ll surpass that,” Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said in an ambush interview on Thursday.

Garcia described the initial turnout as “almost unbelievable,” citing the long queues at registration sites across the country, including those in shopping malls.

“On the first day, almost 37,000 in the whole Philippines. Now, we’re almost at 80,000 in the whole Philippines,” he said.

He noted that some malls had to close their registration areas early because they could no longer accommodate all applicants.

READ: Comelec surprised by ‘overwhelming’ turnout as voter registration reopens

Garcia also welcomed the participation of young Filipinos, particularly those aged 17 and 18, saying their presence at registration sites indicated interest in the upcoming elections.

“That’s a good indication, especially if you see the youths who are registering,” he said.

However, Garcia noted that some students registering at the Special Registration Anywhere/Anytime Program site in Luneta Park were doing so to comply with school requirements.

READ: Comelec opens voter registration for 2028 polls from Nov. 10 to July 30

“There are schools that require voter certification, or if not, evidence of registration before they enroll our youths,” he said.

Garcia said school-imposed deadlines contributed to the long queues at the Luneta registration site, particularly on the first day of the program.

He added that the Comelec had written to the schools, asking them to consider extending their deadlines, saying it would be unfair to students if they could not register in time.

“Comelec can’t accommodate everyone [immediately],” Garcia said, explaining why the commission sought an extension.

He observed that the queues at the Luneta site had since become shorter, suggesting that some schools may have extended their deadlines following the commission’s request.

Voter registration for the May 2028 national and local elections runs from Nov. 10, 2026, to July 30, 2027. The Comelec is targeting 3 million additional registered voters during the period. /mcm

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