The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced a significant milestone in the lead-up to the 2026 local polls, revealing that more than one million Filipinos have already taken the first step to participate in democracy.
Voter Registration Surge for Local Elections
In a report released late Monday, January 5, 2026, the poll body stated that 1,060,370 individuals have submitted their applications for voter registration. This process is crucial for the upcoming November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). The data, collected from the period of October 20 to December 30, shows a strong early interest from the public, particularly the youth.
Breakdown of Applicants and Top Regions
The total figure is divided between two key electoral exercises. A majority, 819,364 applicants, are seeking to vote in the barangay elections. Meanwhile, 241,006 young Filipinos have applied to become Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voters, highlighting active youth engagement.
Regionally, Calabarzon leads the nation with the highest number of registrants at 224,045. The National Capital Region (NCR) follows with 129,407 applicants, and Central Luzon ranks third with 122,260 individuals signed up. Additionally, the innovative Register Anywhere/Anytime Program (RAP) has successfully enrolled 2,011 applicants, offering greater convenience.
Registration Drive Continues Until 2026
The Comelec has set a clear target for this registration period, aiming to enlist 1.4 million new voters in total. To achieve this goal, the commission has given the public ample time, with the voter registration window remaining open until May 18, 2026. This extended period allows all qualified Filipinos, especially first-time voters and those who need to update their records, to ensure they are included in the final list of voters for these critical community-level elections.
The high number of early registrants signals a robust civic consciousness among Filipinos ahead of the polls that will choose their local village and youth council leaders.
