Opposition senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Friday asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to extend the registration deadline for new voters two weeks after October 31, specifically in regions and other areas devastated by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.
Earlier this week, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) revealed that more than 4 million people or nearly 900,000 families, were affected.
"The Comelec should consider the fact that thousands lost their homes, belongings, members of their families as well as friends. They are still rebuilding their lives," the 40-year-old senator stressed.
"While I'm certain they want to participate in the next national elections, most have other priorities for the moment," he added.
Based on figures from the Comelec, around 2.8 million of an expected 4 million new voters have registered as of this week, with the deadline set on midnight of October 31.
Roughly 45.6 million of the country?s estimated 91 million population are qualified to vote on May 10, 2010.
Escudero, who is chairman of the Senate Electoral Reforms committee, also said the turnout so far should also convince the Comelec to establish more registration centers in schools, barangay halls and other public facilities
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