Hinimok ng ilang unibersidad sa Mindanao na pinamumunuan ng mga Jesuit ang Commission on Election (Comelec) na magbukas pa ng bagong satellite registration sites.
Pinangunahan ng presidente ng tatlong Ateneo Universities sa Mindanao ang panghihikayat sa Comelec na magbukas ng mga bagong satellite registration sites sa tulong ng mga unibersidad at ipang pang paaral pang-kolehiyo.
“We received reports showing that some Comelec centers do not only close earlier than extended registration hour of 7 p.m, but also disrespect the fast-tracking mechanism by not making use of the online pre-registration forms,” ani Ateneo de Davao University President Fr. Joel E. Tabora.
Ayon sa datos ng Comelec, mayroong 73 milyon ang kwalipikado nang bumoto sa bansa: 63 milyon ang rehistrado na, lagpas sa target na 61 milyon.
9-anyos na bata, patay matapos makuryente ng tinatayang 20 minuto
Samantala, hindi pa rin rehistrado ang 10 milyon dahil sa ilang rason tulad na lamang ng COVID-19.
Ateneo de Zamboanga University President Fr. Karel S. San Juan SJ emphasized that balancing the right to vote and the right to health “requires creativity” as he prodded the poll body to partner with schools to become satellite registration sites.
Kinakailangan ng malikhaing gawain, iyan naman ang pahayag ni Ateneo de Zamboanga University President Fr. Karel S. San Juan SJ habang hinihikayat ang Comelec na gawing satellite registration sites ang ilang paaralan.
Aniya, “The right to vote and the right to health are equally important. Ensuring that people are able to cast their votes and securing their safety from COVID-19 are both goods to be preserved. Disenfranchisement needs to be avoided just as we must avoid the deadly virus.”
Nananatiling bukas naman raw ang Ateneo Universities sa Mindanao upang maging daan sa pagpaparehistro ng ilan pang hindi rehistrado.
“School would employ the same safety protocols as to when they opened their doors to help out in the vaccination roll-out,” ani Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan President Fr. Mars P. Tan.
Mungkahi pa ni Tan, maaaring gawin ang mobile registration para maabot ang lugar na nasa laylayan.
Mananatiling bukas ang pagpaparehistro sa Comelec mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes, alas-8 ng umaga hanggang ala-5 ng hapon.
Gabriela Baron
