by Jemin B. Guillermo

Manila (23 February) -- The deadline for registration of voters has been moved to October 31 instead of December 15 this year.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesman James Jimenez in an online news announced that the Commission has earlier resolved to move back the voters' registration deadline to October 31 from December 15.

This, he said, is in views of the rigorous preparations needed for the full automation of the May 2010 national and local elections.

Jimenez explained that despite the registration draw back, voters will be given more opportunity to register as the poll body has recently ruled to open registration on Saturdays and holidays as a way to encourage more student and worker registrants.

Last February 12, 2009, the COMELEC en banc promulgated Resolution 8585, which amended portions of Resolution 8514 that provided the rules and regulations governing the resumption of the system of continuing voters' registration.

Among the provisions amended in the said resolution are Sections 4 which outlined the date, time and places of filing of applications, hearing and approval, and Section 6 which provided that persons who have not yet reached the required voting age or period of residence but will posses the same on or before the day of the elections may only register starting May 12, 2009.

COMELEC Resolution 8585 said that "there are compelling reasons for the amendments being sought in order for the Commission to accomplish the pre-election activities in pursuit of its mandate to conduct clean, honest, orderly, peaceful, and credible May 10, 2010 national and local elections."

"There is a public clamor to open registration during Saturday to accommodate the youth-students and the busy workers, who have no time to register during the weekdays," the COMELEC en banc said.