Voting is a civil right in the Philippines. Eligible voters must register with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to vote. The Comelec voter registration must be done for a limited period before the election and that for the 2025 poll has started. In this blog post, we are going to introduce the next registration for voters in 2024 and how to register in the Philippines.
When Is the Next Voters Registration in the Philippines in 2024?
The voter registration for 2025 began on February 12, 2024, and will last until September 30, 2024. The Office of the Election Officer (OEO) or satellite registration sites are open between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm and are closed on Sundays. Filipinos can vote even on holidays except Holy Week (2024/3/28-2024/3/30). Please note that registration at the RAP venues will end on August 31.
Moreover, the following applications should be submitted online before September 7, 2024.
- Reactivate registration only.
- Transfer registration within the same voting area or correct registration
- Transfer registration within the same voting area and correct registration
- Update records of senior citizens (SCs) and persons with disability (PWDs)
What Is Comelec Voter Registration in the Philippines?
Comelec refers to the Commission on Elections that monitors and regulates elections in the Philippines. Voters must file a swear before the election officer and include a voter record with the Comelec. This process is known as Comelec voter registration. It is required for all eligible Filipinos to vote in any Philippine election of the city or municipality.
Who Are Eligible for Comelec Voter Registration?
Anyone who has never registered with the Comelec might be qualified for the registration for voters. The eligibility for Regular Elections is listed below. When it comes to Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the voter must be aged between 15 and 30 years old.
- The voter is a Filipino citizen.
- The voter reaches at least 18 years old on or before the date of election.
- The voter must not have been disqualified by law.
- The voter must have been residing in the Philippines for no less than 12 months.
- The voter must have been living in the barangay where he/she votes for no less than 6 months when participating in the local elections.
What Documents Do I Need for Voter Registration?
Applicants must prove their identity and provide personal information while registering to vote. Here are the requirements for voter registration Philippines.
- A Completed Application Form (Form CEF-1)
The form is available on the COMELEC official website. You can download it and fill it out at home with black ink, but the signature and thumb mark areas must be completed under the witness of the election officer. Make sure all information is accurate and authentic.
- A Valid ID
It must be one of the following identifications. Please note that the company ID will no longer be acceptable.
- National ID under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys)
- LTO (Land Transportation Office) Driver’s License or Student Permit
- SSS ID (Social Security System), GSIS ID (Government Service Insurance System), or other UMID (Unified Multi-Purpose ID card)
- IBP ID (Integrated Bar of the Philippines)
- NBI clearance (National Bureau of Investigation Clearance)
- Philippine Passport
- Postal ID
- PIC (Professional Identification Card)/license issued by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
- Certificate issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
- PWD ID (Persons with Disability ID)
- Barangay ID/Certification
- Senior Citizen ID
- Student’s ID card or library card with the school authority’s stamp or signature
- Other government-issued IDs with signature
- Supplementary Data Form (if Applicable)
It is designed for Persons with Disabilities, Senior citizens with Disabilities, Indigenous People, and Indigenous Cultura Communities. The form can be downloaded here.
How to Register as a Voter in the Philippines?
After confirming your qualifications and preparing for the requirements for voters registration Philippines, you can start registering at a physical office or online.
Register Offline
- Choose a Place to Vote
Filipinos can vote at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO), satellite registration sites, and sites set up under Anywhere Program (RAP).
- Submit Required Documents
You are advised to fill out the application form in advance and bring at least one acceptable ID. The election officer will review the supporting documents and verify your identity.
- Take a Photo
After the officers review your application and there is nothing wrong, they will ask you to go to the biometrics capture zone where a personal photo, fingerprints, and signature will be captured. It takes only a few seconds to take a picture, so please hold your body erect and relax to make you look good.
- Submit Fingerprints
Marks of thumbs and index fingers of both hands will be recorded. Put your finger on the fingerprint scanner one by one and follow the operator’s instructions.
- Submit Signature
You will sign your name on a digital screen just as writing on the paper. Make sure the full signature is captured, otherwise, you need to write again.
- Receive an Acknowledgment Receipt
After submitting biometrics, you should sign on a logbook and receive an acknowledgment receipt which serves as proof of fulfilling the Comelec voter registration.
- Wait for Approval
You are yet to be a registered voter until you are approved at Election Registration Board (ERB) hearings and your information is recorded in the book of voters.
Register Online Using RAP
On May 15, 2015, Comelec launched iRehistro to support online registration for voters. Starting February 12, 2024, Comelec introduced a new measure to accelerate voter registration – the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) which allows Filipinos to register to vote no matter where they live. Let’s see how to register online with RAP.
- visit the iRehistro website.
- Choose the Type of Application, such as registration, transfer, reactivation, name change /correction of entries, and inclusion of records in the book of voters/reinstatement.
- Fill out the application form online. As the website is currently unavailable, you should download the form and fill it out offline.
- Book an appointment to submit the application form, supporting documents, and biometric ID photos at the OEO or satellite registration sites.
- Alternatively, you can also walk into a RAP location directly if there is one in the neighborhood. RAP sites are widely set in malls, universities, government offices, church organizations, and private establishments, which will soon be available to check on the Comelec website.
How to Check Voter Registration Status Philippines Online
It is necessary to check whether you have been a registered voter or whether your registration for voters remains valid. Online checking is one of the most straightforward methods.
- Visit COMELEC Precinct Finder.
- Choose either “Local” or “Overseas” for location.
- Enter required information with an asterisk, such as name and place of registration. Complete the Captcha and click on the “Search” button.
- Read the pop-up Confirmation page and click on “Proceed”.
- You will see the precinct location and status on the screen.
Supposing that the Comelec Precinct Finder does not work, you can check the Comelec voter registration by sending an email to itd@comelec.gov.ph, calling Call Comelec hotlines at (02) 8 527 1896/(02) 8 527 4431/8 527 7769/8 527 9365, or visiting visit the local Comelec office in person. Tell the officer the purpose of visiting and present a valid ID.
How to Transfer Your Voters Registration
Those who have registered as voters and moved to a new place should transfer the existing voter record.
Transfer of Voters Registration Comelec Requirements
To vote in the new place that you move to, you must have been living there for 6 months or longer before the May 2025 elections. Like first-time registrations, you must submit a filled-out Form CEF-1 and at least one of the following proofs of identity.
- Postal ID
- PWD ID
- Student’s ID or a library card
- Senior’s ID
- LTO Driver’s license
- NBI clearance
- Passport
- SSS/GSIS ID
- IBP ID
- PRC license
- NCIP certificate
- Other accredited ID (except a police clearance and cedulas)
How to Transfer Voters Registration
The process of transferring existing voter records is similar to that of first-time registration, which is listed below.
- Fill the Form CEF-1.
Shade the oval next to “APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION RECORD” and provide the necessary information in this section, including where to transfer, name, date of birth, previously registered locations, new residence, and period of residence. If you want to transfer the existing records to a new city/municipality/district, you have to complete the personal information page (Page 2).
- Submit Applications
Bring the completed form and required documents to the local Comelec office or the OEO during business hours. You need to submit biometrics again in the new precinct, including photographs, fingerprints, and digital signatures.
- Wait for Approval
After receiving the acknowledgment receipt, you will wait for a few days to months until January, April, July, or October of every calendar year when ERB holds hearings to approve qualified applications.
FAQ
💡 How do I find out my voters registration number?
It is displayed on the acknowledgment receipt you receive after Comelec voter registration.
💡 How to reactivate voters registration online?
Complete the “APPLICATION FOR REACTIVATION OF REGISTRATION RECORD” Section on Form CEF-1 and take it to the local Comelec office or OEO along with a valid ID.
💡 Are voter registration records public?
No, and personal information is required when checking it.
💡 Does voter’s certification expire in the Philippines?
It is usually valid for one year from the date of issuance.
💡 Will there be a voter registration extension if I miss the deadline?
It is uncertain. The registration was once extended by a month in 2021, but it is not a regular policy, so we suggest you register as early as possible.
Summary
The next Comelec voter registration in the Philippines has started. Anyone failing to register before September 30, 2024 (or on August 31 in RAP sites) will not be qualified to vote. Requirements for voters registration Philippines are quite straightforward. We hope this passage can help you finish the first-time registration for voters successfully or transfer of voters registration.