The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday announced that the Register Anywhere Project (RAP) pilot test would be held in five malls in Metro Manila starting next month.

In a statement, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the initial test would be held in SM Fairview in Quezon City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM South Mall in Las Piñas City, Robinsons Place Manila, and Robinsons Galleria in Quezon City.

“It (RAP) will start on Dec. 17, 2022 and until Jan. 22, 2023. It will be held on Saturdays and Sundays,” Laudiangco said in a statement.

Aside from malls, the Comelec is also eyeing to include the Senate office in Pasay City, the House of Representatives in Quezon City, and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) main office in Pasay City.

Likewise, he said they are planning to include Bicol and Eastern Visayas as additional places for the pilot test of the RAP.

Under the RAP, any qualified applicant residing anywhere in the Philippines may register at the RAP booths by submitting their application form and documentary requirements, and having their biometrics taken on-site.

Resumption of voter registration

On the other hand, Laudiangco also reminded first-time voters for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election that the voter registration period is set to start on December 12 and will run until Jan. 31, 2023.

Those who are eligible to register as barangay election voters are all Filipinos, 18 years and above, who have been residing in the Philippines for at least one year and in the area where he/she is looking to get registered for at least six months before Election Day.

Those who are qualified to register as SK election voters are all Filipinos aged 15 years to 30 years, and residing in the area where he/she is looking to get registered for at least six months before Election Day.

Voter registration activities will be held Mondays to Saturdays in all city/municipal Offices of Election Officers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Aside from registration applications, also accepted during the period are the transfer of voter registration records, reactivation of voting status, and correction/change of entries in the voter registration record.

Meanwhile, Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) Director Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada said overseas voter registration would commence on December 9 in most of the Philippine embassies and consulate generals worldwide and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan.

However, voter registration in embassies that operate from Sunday to Thursday will start on December 11.

She added that the OFOV located in Manila would also accept the registration of voters that are due to work abroad, but would want to participate in the 2025 elections.

“The resumption of overseas voting registration also includes the registration here in Manila, specifically, at the Office for Overseas Voting. These are for our compatriots who have just left. They know that they’ll be abroad on Election Day in 2025. So, they can register before they are deployed,” Lozada added.

The overseas voting registration period will run until Sept. 30, 2024. (PNA)