THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said more than 5.47 million voter registration applications were processed nationwide as of May 18, the final day of registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Data released by the commission showed that total processed applications reached 5,470,889, with 2,831,459 new female voters and 2,639,430 male registrants.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the poll body would no longer extend the voter registration period despite appeals from several sectors seeking additional registration days.
‘Wala na pong extension. Kailangan na rin po naming simulan ang ibang preparasyon para sa BSKE,’ Garcia said in a media briefing.
He said the commission needs to proceed with the validation and cleansing of voter records following the close of registration.
‘May mga susunod pa pong proseso matapos ang registration tulad ng cleansing ng voters’ list at pag-aayos ng records,’ Garcia added.
Region IV-A or Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) posted the highest number of processed applications with 887,677, followed by Region III or Central Luzon with 613,185 and the National Capital Region (NCR) with 598,427.
Other regions with high registration turnout included Region V (Bicol) with 322,469 applications and Region VII (Central Visayas) with 316,200.
Region XI (Southern Mindanao) recorded 267,974 applications, while Region IX (Western Mindanao) and Region X (Northern Mindanao) posted 256,948 and 256,004, respectively.
The Negros Island Region (NIR) processed 241,166 applications, while Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) logged 242,921 and Region XII (Central Mindanao) recorded 237,816.
Region VI (Western Visayas) registered 237,211 applications, while Region I (Ilocos) posted 231,144 and Region II (Cagayan Valley) processed 193,196.
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) recorded 75,822 applications, the lowest among all regions included in the tally. Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) posted 160,352 applications, while Caraga recorded 161,135 and Region IV-B or Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) logged 159,848.