The Election Registration Board disapproved five voter registration applications in Bacolod City, which now has 302,168 registered voters, Election Officer Kathrina Trinio-Caña said Friday, July 30.
The five registrants were disapproved because they had moved to barangays that were different from what they stated in their applications at the time of the ERB hearing, Caña said.
They, however, can file new applications stating the barangays where they now reside in Bacolod City, she said.
One applicant had sold her house in Sum-ag and moved to Punta Taytay, so in her new registration she should place the barangay where she now lives, Caña said.
Oppositions to 222 voter registration applications were filed in July, but 145 were withdrawn, leaving the ERB with 77 to rule on.
Among the 72 applications it approved was that of former Rep. Alfredo Benitez.
Those who do not agree with the ERB ruling can take their concerns to court, Caña said.
“We are exploring all possible options at this time,” Marcus Vaflor, the lawyer of the three oppositiors to the application of Benitez, said on Friday.
Caña said Comelec Bacolod receives an average of 250 voter registrants a day and they expect the numbers to increase as the registration deadline nears.
The next ERB hearing for new voter registrants will be in October, she added.
The Comelec is set to hold mall satellite registrations on Fridays and Saturdays in August, Caña said.*