admin 
Ni Estong Reyes
ISANG panukalang batas ang inihain sa Senado hinggil sa paglikha ng automated at online system para sa voter registration.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Senador Mark Villar na layunin ng Senate Bill No. 2254 na himukin ng mamamayan na magparehistro dahil lumilitaw na maraming oras ang nauubos sa botante sa pagpila upang magparehistro.
Nagiging pangunahing dahilan din ito sa mga kuwalipikadong mamamayan na hindi magparehistro dahil sobrang bagal ng sistema sa Commission on Elections (Comelec sa bagong botante.
“Under the proposed law, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) shall, as far as practicable, adopt, design, and use an automated and online system for voter registration that enables the electronic and online filing and processing of the application for registration, transfer of registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries, and such other requests and processes relative to the voter’s registration and records,” ayon kay Villar.
Sinabi pa ni Villar na nakatakda sa panukala na dapat tiyakin ng Comelec ang gamitin ang naturang automated at online system para sa verification at pag –aapruba sa pagpaparehistro.
Kung hindi pa maaari ang online verification ng aplikasyon o request, ipinanukala ni Villar na payagan ng sistema ang aplikante na magsumite ng aplikasyon sa pamamagitan ng online platform ng Comelec.
“The same application and the information contained therein, including the demographics of the applicant, shall be processed electronically, and shall be automatically stored in the Comelec database for pending voter registration application or requests. The system shall promptly provide the applicant with complete and detailed information as to the steps required to complete the application or request,” aniya.
Isinama ni Villar ang isang probisyon sa SB 2254 na kung saan ang aplikante ay awtomatikong papadalhan ng impormasyon kapag naging successful ang aplikasyon o request.
“The system shall also provide a detailed instruction on how the applicant may follow up or complete the application for registration or requests, the estimated time to complete the processing of the application or request, details on the notice of approval or disapproval, further remedies available in case of disapproval, and such other information necessary to promptly assist the applicant with his or her application or request,” ayon sa panukala.
“Further, the bill mandates the Comelec to design, devise, adopt, or use a secure internet website or online platform where applications may be filed by voters and applicants,” dagdag ni Villar sa panukala.
Ayon kay Villar: “Security measures shall be ensured to protect the completeness, accuracy, and integrity of voter registration forms, applications and information submitted and filed through such internet website or online platform.”
“The bill likewise proposed that within 10 days from the effectivity of the proposed law, the Comelec shall implement a program where persons registered under the existing National ID Program shall be automatically registered as voter of the place of their declared residence upon reaching the allowable voting age,” paliwanag pa ni Villar.
Sinabi pa ni Villar na habang nililikha ang automated at online voter registration system, dapat magpatuloy ang Comelec na tumanggap ng aplikasyon sa tuwing office hours.
