Upholding Democracy in a Pandemic:
A Statement on the Extension of Voter’s Registration
Democracy Watch commends the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for its en banc decision to extend the voter registration period from October 11 to 30. Earlier this week, COMELEC resumed voter registration for the 2022 National and Local Elections. The additional days will help make up for the lost time from the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and other pandemic restrictions in the past year and a half. It will also lessen the disenfranchisement of potential voters.
As the country is experiencing this unique time of crisis, it is only fitting that the government is adapting to enable more citizens to exercise their right to vote. Democracy Watch reminds citizens to be proactive and register to vote if they have not yet done so. It is both the right and responsibility of Filipinos to cast their ballots. In doing so, they participate in the work of deepening democracy in the country.
Beyond this, the government should continue to address the concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Democracy Watch calls on all government agencies to work together to ensure that it is safe for Filipinos to vote next year. The COMELEC must coordinate closely with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to better prepare for a COVID-proofed election. With the different virus variants, repeated lockdowns, and unclear health guidelines, citizens face uncertainty as to whether they will even be able to go to the polling stations in May. The government must do their part to foster an environment conducive to the elections, even with the pandemic still at hand. Democracy must go on without having to sacrifice public health.