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Comelec likely to delist 160,000 registered overseas voters from voters' list
By Ferdinand G. Patinio

MANILA - Some 160,000 registered overseas voters are likely to be delisted from the voters list, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 9983, there are a total of 163,019 Filipino voters abroad, who failed to vote in the last two elections, that are scheduled for deactivation by the Resident Election Registration Boards (RERBs).

“For purposes of the May 9, 2016 elections, after updating the voting history of each and every registered overseas voters, there are 163,019, who failed to vote in the 2010 and 2013 elections,” said the ruling dated Aug. 18.

The resolution noted that keeping the records of these voters will have an effect on the deeds of the poll body.

“Maintaining the registration records of those who failed to vote in two successive elections in the National Registry of Overseas Voters and in the Certified List of Overseas Voters would have an adverse impact in our election preparation, budgetary estimation, and voter turnout,” the ruling said.

It added, “It would also affect the accuracy of having real numbers in the registration count for purposes of data collection for future reference.”

Section 13 of the Republic Act 10590 provides that the RERBs shall deactivate and remove the registration records of any person, who did not vote in two consecutive national elections.

However, the Comelec en banc said these voters can contest the actions of the RERBs as they are given until Sept. 30 to object their inclusion in the Order of Deactivation.

The resolution added that they will be notified by RERBs about their inclusion in the said order.

In the 2013 mid-term elections, a total of 238,557 registered voters have failed to vote in the 2007 and 2010 polls.

But, their registrations were not deactivated instead the poll body issued a resolution allowing them to vote as long as they file their Manifestations of Intention to Vote.

Meanwhile, the Comelec reported that, as of Aug. 6, there are already 1,147,293 registered overseas absentee voters for the May 2016 polls.

The deadline of registration for Filipinos overseas is on Oct. 31. (PNA)

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