The number of registered voters in this capital city of Negros Oriental is expected to rise after the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office started its satellite registration every Saturday, which will continue in the coming months.

Comelec records here show that 162 people registered for next year’s polls last May 15 during the first day of the satellite registration held in Barangay Cadawinonan.

Residents are encouraged to avail of the list-up in the villages which is more convenient and safer.

The Comelec announced last week that satellite registration would be held on Saturdays to speed up the enlistment of voters while preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Records at the local poll office showed that as of the April 19 hearing of the Election Registration Board (ERB), the city has 84,279 registered voters.

Another ERB hearing is set for 1,087 applicants for registration on June 21.

Comelec said voters do not automatically qualify as registered upon completion of the online form, nor those who had registered for past elections.

They have to be verified and approved by the ERB prior to being listed for the May 9, 2022 presidential, national, and local elections, it added.

In the city, the Comelec has scheduled one barangay every Saturday for the satellite registration.

An updated schedule is as follows: May 22 – Barangay Camanjac (barangay hall); May 29 – Barangay Bajumpandan (barangay hall); June 5 – Barangay Buñao (barangay hall); June 12 – Barangay Mangnao (barangay hall); June 19 – Poblacion 1 (covered court); June 26, Barangay Calindagan (covered court); July 3 – Barangay Calindagan (Purok Paglaum); June 10 – Barangay Banilad (covered court); July 17 – persons with disabilities and senior citizens (City Social Welfare Office); July 24 – Barangay Junob (barangay hall); and July 31 – Barangay Junob (Northern, near the chapel). (PNA)