These past weeks, the Commission on Elections have been actively promoting in all forms of media the deadline of the biometrics registration for the 2016 Philippine National Elections. Just in case you don't know, it's only 8 days to go as of this writing as the last day of filing is on October 31, 2015.
Honestly, I somehow panicked when I realized how near the deadline is already. I wasn't really sure if I needed to have my biometrics taken because I was able to vote successfully in 2013. So just to be sure, I logged on the the Comelec website (www.comelec.gov.ph). Thankfully, both mine and my husband's biometrics records are complete, and I'm sharing with you the important points I learned about the Comelec's #NoBioNoBoto policy.
Why is a voter's biometrics record important?
In February 15, 2013, President Aquino signed the Republic Act No. 10367 which requires all voter registration records to have biometrics information. If there's no biometrics information on file, the Comelec will deactivate the said voter's registration record and that voter will not be able to vote on May 2016.
I voted in May 2013, do I still need have my biometrics taken?
There is a chance that your voters registration record already has biometrics information. To verify this, you can log on to the Precint Finder page in the Comelec website (http://www.comelec.gov.ph/?r=VoterRegistration/RegistrationStatusVerification/precinct_finder). Input your details in the online form, click the Captcha box, and click search. Here's what I got:
As it appears, my biometrics information was taken way back in 2009. That explains why I almost forgot if I have had it or not, LOL!
Alternatively, you may also check if your name is included in the No Bio / Incomplete Bio list that is also posted in the Comelec website (http://www.comelec.gov.ph/?r=VoterRegistration/NoBioNoBoto/NoIncBio).
My voters registration record could not be found. What should I do?
There can be many reasons why your records cannot be found:
- You mistyped some information. Give it another try. This time, make sure everything you type in is correct.
- Your information had encoding errors. This commonly happens to names with affixes such as Jr., Sr., II, III, or Ma.that was either not included or encoded as a complete name/word.
- Your application has not been approved yet by the Election Registration Board in your city or municipality. Give your local Comelec office enough time to submit your data before you do your query in the Comelec website.
- Your application has been disapproved by the ERB. Sorry, but you will have to visit your local Comelec office to verify this.
- Your local Comelec office has not submitted your data yet. Tip: If it's less than 60 days after you registered, you may have to wait a bit more or until the next ERB hearing schedule (Nov. 16, 2015).
- You are not a registered voter. So what are you waiting for? Register na!
Note: Even if your voters registration record was deactivated, you should still be able to see it in the database.
Hope this post has helped you in one way or another. Come May 2016, go out and exercise your right to vote not only for our country but for the welfare of our children.
Did you like my post? CLICK THIS to have my posts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Post a Comment