With the national elections just around the corner, first-time voters are lining up for registration, ready to cast their ballot in 2022. 

Youth voters are very eager to participate in the elections. According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), 52% of newly registered voters are youth. More than 58 million are existing registered voters, more than 1.2 million are new registrants, while more than 800,000 are first-time voters and will be turning 18 years old before the elections.

As early as July, there are already 60.46 million Filipinos are registered for the 2022 general elections, higher than COMELEC’s target of 59 million.

As a first-time voter, there is a lot to figure out. Maybe you’re not sure where and how to start, so here is a voting guide prepared for you.

Voting Guide 

•  Register in your local COMELEC office.

As per COMELEC, to register you have to be:

• At least eighteen (18) years of age on or before May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections;
• A resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year and the place wherein he/she proposes to vote, for at least six (60 months immediately preceding the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections; and
• Not otherwise disqualified by law.

For first-time voters, registration requirements include at least one of the following valid IDs and a photocopy:

• Employee’s identification card (ID) with the signature of the employer or authorized representative;
• Postal ID;
• PWD Discount ID;
• Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority;
• Senior Citizen’s ID;
• Driver’s license;
• NBI clearance;
• Passport;
• SSS/GSIS ID;
• Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID;
• A license issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC);
• Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs; and
• Any other valid ID.

• Know your candidates.

Before throwing your support behind a candidate based simply on their affiliation, take the time to understand their qualifications, voting record, and position on national and local issues

• Educate yourself on current issues. 

You need to know where you stand. Learn about how the results of your vote can affect the current issues in the country such as the economy, human rights, taxation, immigration, and handling of the pandemic.  

Every vote counts! Let’s make this our most important ‘ambag’ to our country. Vote wisely!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Clarisse Rafols is a student at the University of the East, taking up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She is a former officer of UE Journalism Society and is currently an intern for Politico.ph aiming to become a learned journalist to serve the general public with factual information.