The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will pilot the Register Anywhere Project (RAP) for 10 weekends starting Dec. 17 in five malls in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In a statement Wednesday, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the RAP will be held every Saturday and Sunday until Jan. 29, 2023.

However, there will be no registration on the following dates — Dec. 24, 25, 31, 2022 and Jan. 1, 2023.

He said the malls will be determined by the poll body at a later date.

“To emphasize, a public demonstration will be conducted before the actual roll-out, with the date/s therefore to be announced later on. At the moment, every step of the processes are currently being studied and improved, most particularly on the information technology infrastructure part,” he added.

During the pilot period, Laudiangco explained any qualified applicant residing anywhere in the Philippines can conveniently register at the RAP booths in designated NCR malls.

“They may submit their application form, documentary requirements and have their biometrics taken on-site. Previously, only the residents of the locality where the mall is located were allowed to register in mall registration sites. The submitted documents and captured biometrics data shall then be indorsed and transmitted by the recipient RAP teams to the OEO (Office of the Election Officer) of the district/city/municipality having jurisdiction over the residence of the applicant for the requisite verification, publication/posting, and Election Registration Board (ERB) Hearing,” he added.

The operational plan of the project was approved by the Commission en banc on Oct. 26.

As part of the approved operational plan, Comelec conducted the initial internal end-to-end demonstration of the RAP at Robinsons Place Manila on Nov. 4.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin and Commissioner Rey Bulay led the activity aimed at fine-tuning the system before it is officially rolled out to the public.

“The senior officials and department heads in attendance were provided an opportunity to witness and experience first-hand the areas that would benefit from further improvement, so that any issues may be swiftly and adequately addressed,” Laudiangco said. (PNA)