By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following the low turnout during the holiday season, the number of voter registrants has started to pick up, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental said.

Based on data released, the fourth week of registration in the province recorded 6,023 voter applicants, a sharp increase compared to the data during the first three weeks of registration last December.

The first week of registration posted 4,319 applicants, which slowed down to 3,452 in the second week, and 2,036 during the third week.

The low turnout in the second and third week was attributed to the holiday season, the Comelec-Negros Occidental said.

Atty. Ian Ananoria, elections supervisor, said as of January 7, Bacolod City had the highest number of applicants at 2,084 after four weeks.

Meanwhile, San Carlos City had 1,273 voter applicants, while Manapla town had the lowest number with just 13.

Ananoria said he expects that the registration will pick up this month.

“We are accepting all types of applications like new voter, transfer, reactivation, reinstatement, change/correction of entries, and overseas to local registration,” he said.

Online registration is available for those who want their registration to be reactivated for failure to vote in two consecutive polls.

Applicants are advised to bring valid proofs of identification such as National ID (PhilSys), passport, driver’s license, employment ID, student ID or library card signed by the management of the school, college or university, Senior Citizens ID, persons with disability ID, Indigenous Peoples Certificate from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and notarized barangay certification with applicant’s photo and signature.

The voter registration will run up until January 31./DGB, WDJ