By: Shaina Semaña
The general elections are coming up so the clock is ticking for those who are yet to register to vote. But with mobility restrictions and social distancing still being big factors in day-to-day life, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) launched a mobile app to make voter registration easier and more accessible.
PRESS RELEASE: COMELEC Launches Mobile Registration App@jabjimenez @dirfrancesarabe pic.twitter.com/gzlP5kDBD8
— COMELEC (@COMELEC) June 14, 2021
Registrants simply need to download the app and they will be prompted to fill up a registration form on their phones. After completely filling up the form, a QR code will be generated, which registrants can scan when they visit their local Comelec office to process their biometrics, saving registrants time and energy from physically printing the form, filling it up and on-site checking.
The Android-exclusive app was launched last June 15 with the goal of making the registration process hassle-free, as it can even be used without internet access. It is, however, not available in the Google Play Store and was initially shared through a Mediafire link—which Comelec took down two days after it was launched. Now, registrants can visit their local Comelec offices to ask officers for a copy of the app which will then be shared via Bluetooth or the SHAREit app.
While the app does make voter registration more convenient, it has only been rolled out and integrated to 575 cities and towns nationwide, which can be seen below.
Initial pilot areas for the… by Rappler
With this, registrants outside of the 575 pilot areas are still encouraged to use iRehistro to access the online registration form and schedule an appointment in their local Comelec office. The same process applies, except that registrants need to print out and fill out their completed form along with the usual valid IDs.
Aside from these efforts to make voter registration more accessible, Comelec teamed up with Google and advertising agency MullenLowe Philippines to create Magparehistro ka!, a website to help more Filipinos with their voter registration. The website features interactive illustrations of Filipino heroes calling on citizens to register for the 2022 elections. It features a walkthrough of the voter registration process, starting from locating the nearest Comelec office or satellite registration from you, to the list of requirements, down to the iRehistro link. Through the artwork of Filipina artist Chinny Basinag, national heroes like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and Melchora Aquino came back to life, using an engaging story and trendy language to encourage Filipinos to exercise their right to vote in the name of the sacrifices they’ve made for our country.
There is no reason to hold off on voter registration with all the accessible and informational materials available online, and while we’re only halfway through 2021, it’s never too soon to register and prepare for the upcoming elections. Your vote is your voice, and each one of our voices counts towards progress. So register now and remember to vote wisely!