AN OFFICIAL of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said there is nothing wrong with "hakot" or bringing groups of people to the Office of the Election Officer (OEC) to register.
Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez noted that the law also does not discourage such activity during registration period.
"Hindi nakasaad sa batas na bawal magsakay ng tao para magpa rehistro during registration kasi registration pa lang naman 'yan. Wala siya malinaw na link doon sa kanyang right to vote tsaka obviously voting will happen several months in the future pa," he said.
Jimenez added that there is nothing wrong if local officials in cities/municipalities having a hand on such activity.
"In general wala tayo problema diyan kung tutulong local official na magdala mga tao to the registration center," he said.
The poll body official noted what they are guarding those who bring the people to the registration centers, as they may influence the process.
"Ang problema kasi sometimes they want to help daw gusto nila na yung dinala nila doon e masisiguro na marehistro talaga. So they end up badgering the registrants. Pwede kayo magdala tao sa registration center but don't try to influence the process na unahin mo mga bata ko," he said.
At the same time, Jimenez added that anybody can request for the holding of satellite registration in his/her area.
"Wala tayo limitation kung sino pwede magrequest kasi as far as the Comelec is concerned registration is a non partisan activity," he said.
The five-month continuing voter's registration for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls started last November 7 and will run until April 29, 2017. (FP/Sunnex)