By JEN BAYLON

With the deadline for local absentee voting registration fast approaching on Friday, March 7, the Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) is urging eligible individuals to apply promptly.

Comelec-NIR Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano emphasized that absentee voting is available to media practitioners and qualified public officials and employees, including police and military personnel assigned to election duties.

Media personnel covering the May polls can submit their applications at the Comelec-Negros Occidental office in Bacolod City.

However, absentee voters are restricted to casting ballots for national candidates only.

Earlier, Comelec said all government officials and employees, including members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and media practitioners, including their technical and support staff who are temporarily assigned to perform election duties or cover/report on the conduct of elections, may avail local absentee voting for this year’s polls.

Government officials and members of the AFP and PNP could file their application not later than March 7.

They could file before their heads of offices, supervisors, commanders, or officers who are next in rank, Comelec said.

Local absentee voting will take place from April 28 to 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. / With reports from GMA Integrated News / JB, WDJ