Comelec chairman George Garcia reminded the voting public to register and ensure participation in the BSKE on Dec. 1.
“Hindi po kami pwede magparehistro ng napakahabang panahon, sampung araw lang, sa napakadaming deactivated na voters, sa napakaraming voters na magpapa-transfer ng registration,” Garcia said during the official launch of the Kaisa Project on Friday, at Intramuros, Manila.
He noted that the shortened time is due to the May 12 National and Local Elections, and the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections on Oct. 13.
Garcia also emphasized that if the voters registered for BSKE 2025 reached 70 million, at least three extra ballots per precinct would be printed.
He added that the lessons learned from the May 12 NLE should be improved in the Dec. 1 BSKE, to prioritize assistance to vulnerable sectors.
“Ang gusto kong ipahatid sa bawat isa na mapagtulung-tulungan natin na masigurado na, lalong lalo na ang vulnerable sector, yung miyembro ng Indigenous Peoples, yung nakatatanda, yung may kapansanan sila dapat ang binibigyan ng patungkol at tugon lalo na sa araw ng halalan,” he stressed.
Comelec issued Resolution No. 11132 on April 25, 2025, providing the calendar of activities for the Dec. 1 BSKE.
In July and August, Comelec will update registration records, including deactivation, inclusion and exclusion, correction and deletion of names, and recapturing corrupted biometrics.
The filing of the certificate of candidacy will be from Oct. 1-7, including weekends. Prohibited acts include vote buying and selling, and premature campaigning until Nov. 19.
The election period officially starts from Oct. 27 until Dec 31, while the campaign period will be on Nov. 20-29. On election day, Dec. 1, casting of votes starts from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and counting and canvassing of winning candidates starts immediately after the closing of polls.
