More than 188,000 individuals have registered as voters for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to be held in October 2023, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported Tuesday.

As of Dec. 30, 2022, Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations (DEDO) Rafael Olanio said a total of 188,129 Filipinos have applied as first-time registered voters.

“The numbers are still relatively low,” he said in a press briefing.

Of the number, the majority or 101,944 voters are aged 18 to 30 years old, followed by those aged 15 to 17 years old at 60,491 voters and 25,694 voters aged 31 years old and above.

Filipinos who are 15 to 17 years old may vote in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls. Those aged 18 to 30 years for both the barangay and youth polls.

Voters aged 31 years old and above may participate in the barangay and national elections.

Olanio also reiterated their call for qualified individuals to register as the activity will end this month.

“We are inviting those that are qualified but have yet to get registered as SK and/or regular voters to visit their local Comelec offices or satellite registration sites. Please take advantage of this period, until the end of January to get registered and be able to vote in the BSKE,” he added.

The voter registration period resumed nationwide last Dec. 12, 2022 and will run until Jan. 31, 2023.

Applications are accepted in all city/municipal Offices of Election Officers (OEOs) on Mondays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PNA)