ONLY 63, 810 youths, ages 15 to 18 years old, and 43, 974 regular voters registered in the province last July 15 to 31 for the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and barangay elections, respectively.

Atty. Marino Salas, provincial election supervisor said while the target for barangay regular voters was reached, the number of SK registrants fell short of the target.

He said on the last day of registration, some 5, 000 to 10, 000 youths failed to meet the deadline.

“We extended until 7:00 p.m. last July 31 but still many arrived late,” Salas said even as each of machines served 500 registrants, well beyond the normal 300 persons per day.

“The mañana habit struck again,” he lamented.

Those who trooped to the Comelec office to register but turned away complained that the explanation given was computers can only process 500.

Salas said his office has not received any advice about another special registration period for the SK voters.

Meanwhile, the number of registrants will still be validated during the Election Registration Board (ERB) meeting.

To address the problem posed by flying voters, registrants for SK and barangay election were not allowed to transfer, he said.

The filing of the certificates of candidacy (COC) for SK and barangay elections will be on October 3 to 5.

Salas reminded the prospective SK candidates of the anti-dynasty provision in the new SK reform law.

“Candidates should be within 18 to 24 years old and not related to any elected government officials up to second degree of consanguinity”, said Salas.

He added after the validation of the voters list, Comelec Pangasinan will be 98% ready for the election on October 31. (Hilda Austria/Nora Dominguez) 

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