Aspiring voters have until Saturday to register anywhere

August 26, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Aspiring voters have only until this Saturday, the end of the month, to avail themselves of the Commission on Elections Register Anywhere Program (RAP).

Comelec Chairman George Garcia encouraged those who have yet to register to take advantage of the RAP before it ends.

“The chance (to register) without going back to the provinces, without filing a leave will end this Aug. 31,” Garcia said.

Comelec reminds those intending to participate in the May 2025 national and local elections that there are only five days left for them to visit the RAP centers nearest them.

Under the RAP, aspiring voters can register even in areas far from their residences. The Comelec implemented RAP in a bid to lure more people to register for next year’s elections.

Since the voter registration resumed in February until Aug. 24, the poll body has received a total of 5,503,677 applications for registration.

Garcia said the Comelec has been reaching out to the Filipino community and providing voter registration services through RAP, even bringing the program into malls, schools and worksites.

While RAP is ending soon, Garcia said the Comelec is still conducting voter registration for local and overseas voters until Sept. 30.

Garcia said aspiring voters could register in the offices of local election officers and Philippine embassies.