Comelec to start deactivation process of those who failed to have their biometrics data

The deactivation process of registration of voters, who failed to have their biometrics data taken during the 18-month voter registration process will start on November 16, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 10013, the deactivation of the voter registration records under Republic Act No. 10367, will commence after registration period for the May 2016 elections ended last October 31.

"The Election Registration Board (ERB) hearing for the deactivation of registration records of voters, who fail to undergo validation process, is scheduled on November 16," the resolution dated November 3 said.

Section 8 of the Mandatory Biometrics Voter Registration Act provides that registration records of voters without biometrics data, who failed to submit for validation on or before the deadline, shall be deactivated in the last ERB hearing to be conducted prior to Election Day.

Based on Comelec data, there are some 3 million voters that have no biometrics data.

With this, the poll body directed local election officers (EOs) to post the lists of voters without biometrics in the bulletin boards of the city/municipal halls, Offices of the Election Officer (EOs), and in the barangay halls along with the notice of ERB hearings.

Likewise, the EOs were ordered to send individual notices to affected voters included in the list of those without biometrics data and to send the ERB a copy of the list of voters without biometrics.

"Any opposition/objection to the deactivation of records shall be filed not later than November 9," the resolution added.

Biometrics data registration refers to the automated capturing of photo, signature, and fingerprints of registered voters.The commission said the conduct of deactivation proceedings by the ERBs shall be summary in nature.

"The ERBs shall, based on the list of voters without biometrics data, order the deactivation of registration records on the ground of 'failure to validate'," added the Comelec.

After the ERBs issued a decision, the EOs are then ordered to tag the concerned registration records of voters without biometrics data and deactivate them in the Book of Voters. (PNA)