Composing more than 45 percent of the electorates in the country, millennial voters are being rallied by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to register before the September 29 deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the 2019 midterm polls.
DILG spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Jonathan E. Malaya called on the Filipino youth, who are at least 18 years old, to give time in going to a local Comelec office to register or reactivate their registration record that has been deactivated due to failure to vote in two successive regular elections.
Noting that the voter registration for the 2019 polls started on July 2 or more than two months ago, Malaya enjoined unregistered youth voters to avoid the last-minute syndrome of registering on the day of the deadline or close to the closing date.
“Voting is the most concrete way for the people to participate in democracy and change the course of governance by electing candidates whom they believe will lead our national and local governments with integrity and competency. Iyong mga matino, mahusay, at maaasahan (Those who are decent, competent and dependable),” he said in a news release issued Monday.
Malaya also prodded newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to mobilize their fellow youths to register before September 29 and actually cast their votes on May 13, 2019.
“SK officials are the models of youths in communities. Inform and inspire them of the power of right of suffrage, their right to choose, which in our colonial history was limited to elites or male citizens,” he said.
The basic requirements to be an eligible Filipino voter, aside from being at least 18 years old, is to be a resident of the Philippines for at least one year and of the city or municipality, wherein he or she intends to vote for at least six months prior to an election. Registrants are required to bring a valid identification card with photograph and signature when going to a Comelec office.
“Your vote on May 13 will have lasting impact on the political and socioeconomic future of our localities and our country. Kayo ang pipili ng mamumuno sa gobyerno na silang magpapasa ng mga batas, magpapatupad ng mga programang makakaapekto sa atin at magpapasya sa paggastos ng pondong galing sa ating mga buwis (You will be the ones who will choose those who will lead the government and pass laws, implement programs that would affect us and who would decide on how to spend the money from our taxes),” Malaya said.
“So be sure to be a registered voter for the May 13 polls. Do it for yourself, for your family and friends, for our country. Sabi nga nila (As they say) #YOLO, you only live once. And every three years, #YOVO, you only vote once for national and local elections,” he added.
According the Commission’s statistics, out of the 54,363,844 2016 registered voters for the 2016 elections, 24,730,013 or more than 45 percent were aged 18 to 34 years old. The total voter turnout in the 2016 elections was 81.95 percent. (DILG PR)
