Manila: A little over a week after the resumption of voters’ registration activities nationwide, more than 240,000 applications for the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have been received by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Comelec data showed that 240,687 applications were received from Oct. 20 to 30.
According to Philippines News Agency, the bulk of the number, or 209,097, are applicants for the village polls, while 31,590 applied for the youth elections. On the other hand, applications for regular voters, or those 18 years old and above, numbered 62,959. The poll body also reported 86,219 applications for transfer from other cities/municipalities; 17,045 applications for transfer within the same city/municipality; and 12,120 applications for reactivation.
For SK voters, or those aged 15 to 17 years, the poll body received 30,989 applications for new registration. There were 414 applications for transfer from other cities/municipalities; 55 applications for transfer within the same city/municipality; and 132 corrections of entries. The seven-month voter registration activities will continue until May 18, 2026.
However, the Comelec has suspended the list-up in Eastern Visayas, particularly in areas affected by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi). Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in an interview Tuesday that he has ordered an inventory and inspection of the local Comelec offices that may have been damaged. Asked when the suspension of the activities would be lifted, he said, “Anytime when they said that it is already safe to resume the activities, we will do that.”
Meanwhile, Garcia said manual polls for the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) is not yet an option, as they are still looking at an automated BPE next year. He said this projection is based on the existing timeline or until the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has created a law on redistricting before the Nov. 30 deadline. “We believe in the capacity of the Bangsamoro Parliament. The Comelec also always reminds us to be informed… We believe that due to pressure, Supreme Court (SC) decision, the parliament is aware that time is of the essence. And if we miss the timeline, we may not be able to adequately prepare for the elections to be held in March 2026,” he said.
