• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Bacolod is looking into claims that some schools are allegedly mandating students to register as voters, as part of requirements for their clearance for graduation.
This issue came to light amid the chaotic scenes at the satellite registrations of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Robinsons Place Bacolod on Saturday, where some registrants fainted and lost their belongings, while others waited the whole night just to register early the next day.
Comelec Bacolod Election Officer, Atty. Katrina Trinio-Caña said that they will follow up on who or what school requires their students to register.
“It should not be part of the schools’ requirement to mandate the students to register,” Trinio-Caña added.
The Comelec has stated that the right to vote also includes the right not to vote as it is a voluntary act and a constitutional right, not an obligation.
During the 10-day registration, the Comelec received more than 6,300 applications from Bacolod City.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that there will be no extension of the BSKE registration, unless officially postponed.*
