Baguio: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here on Tuesday announced that a total of 6,240 voters registered during the 10-day registration period from August 1 to 10.

According to Philippines News Agency, lawyer John Martin, Comelec-Baguio election officer, stated that the number far exceeded their target of 2,000 registrants, with an expectation of 200 individuals registering per day. Martin expressed surprise at the high turnout, noting the significant participation of young people eager to engage in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections.

For the registration period, Comelec-Baguio established a fixed site at its compound on Governor Pack Road and organized two offsite registration areas to accommodate the influx of registrants. Martin highlighted the significance of the turnout, emphasizing that the effort was worthwhile regardless of whether the elections proceed in December. He noted that SK voters could transition to regular voters if they surpass the age limit for Sangguniang Kabataan participation.

Meanwhile, lawyer Julius Torres, the Comelec director in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), reported a total of 48,766 registrants during the 10-day period, with the highest number of 8,779 recorded on the final day. In a message to the Philippine News Agency, Torres reflected on CAR’s status as having the lowest number of registrants nationwide, citing the region’s smaller population compared to other areas, as previously mentioned by Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia.