Comelec drops overseas voters

Over 160,000 registered overseas voters will not be able to participate in next year’s polls after the Commission on Elections ordered their deactivation from the voters’ list.

“For purposes of the May 9, 2016, elections, after updating the voting history of each and every registered overseas voter, there were 163,019 who failed to vote in 2010 and 2013,” according to Comelec Resolution No. 9983, promulgated on Aug. 18.

Republic Act No. 10590 provides that the resident election registration boards shall deactivate and remove the registration records of any person who did not vote in two consecutive national elections.

The Comelec explained in the resolution that maintaining the registration records of those who failed to vote in two successive elections in the National Registry of Overseas Voters and in the Certified List of Overseas Voters would have an adverse impact on election preparations, budgetary estimations and voter turnout.

“It would also affect the accuracy of having real numbers in the registration count for purposes of data collection for future reference,” it added.