By CESAR JOLITO III

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental is preparing for voter registration from August 1 to 10 in anticipation of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on December 1, 2025, even as uncertainty looms over whether the polls will proceed as planned.

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria said local Comelec offices are ready to accommodate applicants for new registration, reactivation of inactive voters, updating of personal details, correction of erroneous entries, and transfers of registration.

Registration will be held daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including weekends and holidays, to ensure wider participation.

Ananoria emphasized that teens turning 15 on or before election day must register to vote for BSKE.

All requirements and qualifications for voter registration remain unchanged, he added.

While the poll body proceeds with the preparatory steps, Ananoria clarified that there is no official confirmation yet if the December BSKE will push through.

The uncertainty arises from a bill seeking to postpone the elections, which is still awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s signature.

According to Ananoria, if Marcos takes no action within 30 days of receiving the measure, it will automatically lapse into law, thereby postponing the elections.

“Regardless of the final decision, our preparations will continue to ensure a smooth and organized process when a directive is issued,” he said.

Comelec’s preparations are also aligned with early groundwork for the 2028 national elections, making this registration drive an important step toward ensuring a clean and updated voter registry./CJ, WDJ