The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has breached its 1 million target new voters/applicants for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) set for December 5.

“As of July 18, 2022, the 13th day of registration and with the current new registrants (both for Barangay & SK) now in the total of 1,712,315, we have more than achieved the initial targets for the December 5, 2022 BSKE,” acting Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a message Wednesday.

Laudiangco said the total projected barangay voters (18 years old and above, including new registrants) is at 66,053,357.

The expected total SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) voters (15 to 30 years old, including new registrants) is 23,059,227.

“Given this latest high turnout of applicants, we believe that by July 23, 2022, we will be able to breach our secondary/recalibrated total new registrants for barangay and SK of 2,067,351,” he said.

He added that this new figure is largely based on the current estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority which projects that Filipinos belonging to the voting age will reach some 73.5 million, out of a total projected population of around 112.8 million by 2023.

Laudiangco said this proves that Filipinos, especially the youth, remain interested in joining the nation’s democratic processes.

“We hope that we pursue patriotism in the exercise of our right to suffrage and continue our trust in governmental institutions,” he added.

The nationwide voter registration period is set to end on July 23. (PNA)