Claim your power: Register to vote!

For some, making a change in society seems to be a big responsibility, and to be able to do that, people think you need to hold a higher position. That for a person to have the power to change the world, they should be seated on a throne. But that’s not true. Everyone has the power, we just need to claim it.

For the Philippines or any country, every citizen’s power lies in their ability to vote. But not many realize this. With a simple vote, an individual is given a voice in the society to make changes in policies, to be a part of decision-making processes, and to build a better future for the next generation—it is a power that can dictate what will happen to a country and every person living in it in the next six years.

And that power is just right there waiting to be claimed. How can you claim it? By registering to vote. But first, you must be:

A Filipino citizen.
18 years old on or before election day of May 9, 2022.
A resident in the Philippines for at least one year and a resident of the place in which you intend to vote for at least 6 months.

Met the qualifications? Then you’re ready to register! Here’s how:

1. Accomplish the Voter’s Registration form

Fill up a registration form online and set up an appointment through the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) iRehistro page. After completing the form, the site will direct you to a page where you can schedule an appointment at your local COMELEC office or Office of the Election Officer (OEO) to move forward with your registration.

Due to website traffic caused by the number of registrants, the portal may sometimes be down. You may still download the application forms. You will be asked to download three (3) forms:

CEF-1 – Registration form
Annex B – Supplementary data form
Health declaration form

Since you will be filling these forms up manually, setting up an appointment with your OEO is not done automatically unlike in online registration. Make sure to call your OEO and schedule an appointment to proceed with your registration.

Remember NOT to sign the registration form and put your thumb marks yet as these actions require to be done in the presence of an election officer.

Meanwhile, COMELEC also recently launched a mobile app where registrants can easily accomplish their registration form and be given a QR code to present to their OEO. However, it is not available for everyone. You can only download the app on android phones and it is only exclusive to COMELEC offices in 575 pilot cities.

This is to prioritize the pilot areas set by the agency where internet connectivity is poor.

If a registrant wishes to download this, they will have to visit their OEO to have it shared with them by an officer via SHAREit. No internet connection is needed when using the app. Just fill up the form and it will generate a QR code.

2. Proceed with your appointment and bring your accomplished forms and valid IDs

Don’t forget to bring your own pen and a photocopy of at least one of the following IDs:

Employee’s identification card (ID), with the signature of the employer or an authorized representative
Postal ID
PWD Discount ID
Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority
Senior Citizen’s ID
Driver’s license
NBI clearance
Passport
SSS/GSIS ID
Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID
License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC)
Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs

Tip: It’s better to bring as many valid IDs as you can just to make sure.

As you show up on your scheduled appointment, the election officer will collect your registration forms, review them and log them in the Election Registration Board’s system. After this, the officer will capture your biometrics, issue an acknowledgment receipt, and you’re done!

Image Source: COMELEC

Your application is still up for approval so make sure to keep your receipt as you will be contacted to return to the OEO once you’ve been approved.

Every individual’s vote is crucial in determining how our lives in this country will pan out in the next couple of years. So don’t take it lightly. Your vote is power and it is rightfully yours. Don’t let anybody take it, go out there and register! Registration is open until September 30, 2021. Don’t forget to wear your face mask and face shield!

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