Monday, the National Commission on Elections (Comelec) revealed the initial five locations in the National Capital Region that will participate in its Register Anywhere Project (RAP) pilot run from December 17, 2022 to January 17, 2023.
These malls are accessible throughout NCR: SM Mall of Asia, SM Fairview, SM South Mall, Robinsons Galleria, and Robinsons Place Manila. The RAP will operate every Saturday and Sunday for the length of its existence.
“Nagkataon pong hindi kayo nakatira sa Metro Manila at gusto niyo pa rin bumoto doon sa munisipyo ninyo, halimbawa Tuguegarao o taga-Cavite, nagkatoon nandito kayo, puwede po kayo pumunta sa register anywhere booth,” Comelec spokesperson Atty. Rex Laudiangco said in a public briefing.
Under the RAP, qualified applicants from different regions of the country who happen to be in Metro Manila can register at RAP booths.
The scheme, according to Laudiangco, will benefit students and people working in the metropolitan area who are unable to return home to register. He also indicated that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and sailors will be able to participate in the project.
Comelec collects the required voter information on-site, including their registration form, documents, fingerprints, and other biometrics, and then transmits the data to the voter’s municipality/city.
Comelec also aims to launch the RAP in the main offices of the House of Representatives in Quezon City, the Senate in Pasay City, and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in Pasay City. In addition to the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions, the RAP pilot will also be implemented in these regions.