MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has scheduled the resumption of nationwide voter registration from August 1 to 10 in preparation for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) later this year.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the Commission en banc approved the 10-day registration period to ensure that eligible voters, particularly those aged 15 to 17 years old, will be able to participate in the polls.

“The Commission en banc has approved the resumption of voter registration for the BSKE,” Garcia said in an interview.

He noted that while it remains uncertain whether the BSKE will proceed as scheduled, the voter registration must be conducted as a precaution.

“We are still waiting if the BSKE will push through or not. The problem is, if it pushes through on Dec. 1 and we have not conducted voter registration, we won’t have voters, especially in the 15 to 17 years old age group,” he explained.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has yet to sign the proposed bill that would set the terms for village and youth officials. If passed into law, the measure would postpone the BSKE from December 1, 2025 to the first Monday of November 2026. (PNA)