Queues form at Comelec offices to register for barangay, SK polls

Queues started to form at the Commission on Elections (Comelec)'s offices in Metro Manila Friday as more voters want to register for the October 25 village (barangay) and youth council (Sangguniang Kabataan) elections. The Comelec has set August 13 as the last day of registration for the village polls. Those who are going to register for the SK elections have until August 15 to do so. Pending any move by Congress, the barangay and SK polls will push through on October 25. In Manila, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that registrants showed up at the Comelec office in Manila along Arroceros Street as early as 4 a.m. Many of the registrants were brought there allegedly by the "service vehicle" of their respective villages, the report said. A report aired by GMA Network's Unang Balita also showed Caloocan residents lining up early to register for the October polls.

In Quezon City, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported many voters showed up at the Comelec Quezon City office before it started accommodating registrants at 8 a.m. Some of them were brought there reportedly by their village chairmen, the report added. Local Comelec officials stressed there will be no more extension for registration, even as they said the list-up will go on until 7 p.m. In Mandaluyong City, dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported at least 40 registrants had lined up at the Comelec Mandaluyong office before it opened at 8 a.m. Many last-minute registrants had registered at the Comelec Mandaluyong City office Thursday, the report added. Comelec personnel in Mandaluyong set up tents and tables to accommodate registrants, and said they were prepared to extend their hours until midnight. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV