Nearly 2.4 Million Filipinos Apply to Vote in 2026 Barangay and SK Elections
In a significant surge of civic engagement, close to 2.4 million applicants are now seeking to become registered voters in time for the upcoming November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). This remarkable figure underscores a growing interest in local governance and youth participation across the Philippines.
Voter Registration Numbers by Region
According to the latest data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), a total of 2,382,364 applications for voter registration have been received from all regions between October 20, 2025, and February 22, 2026. This substantial influx highlights the public's readiness to exercise their democratic rights in the forthcoming polls.
Leading the pack is the Calabarzon region, which has recorded the highest number of applicants with 424,454 individuals. It is closely followed by Central Luzon with 280,637 applicants and the National Capital Region with 253,202. Other regions demonstrating strong voter registration activity include:
- Central Visayas: 137,660 applicants
- Bicol Region: 136,379 applicants
- Negros Island Region: 122,923 applicants
- Northern Mindanao: 119,068 applicants
- Davao Region: 114,089 applicants
- Ilocos Region: 109,722 applicants
- Cagayan Valley: 102,144 applicants
Registration Programs and Deadlines
In addition to the standard registration process, the Comelec's innovative Register Anywhere/Anytime Program has attracted 3,279 applicants, offering greater flexibility for citizens to sign up. The voter registration period for most of the country, excluding the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), began on October 20, 2025, and will continue until May 18, 2026. During this timeframe, the Comelec aims to enlist as many as four million individuals, reflecting an ambitious target to boost voter participation.
For the BARMM, the registration window is shorter, running from February 9 to March 31, 2026. It is projected that approximately 100,000 people will apply to become registered voters in this region, emphasizing the tailored approach to electoral processes in different areas of the Philippines.
This wave of registration applications signals a robust democratic spirit ahead of the 2026 BSKE, with millions of Filipinos poised to shape their local communities through the ballot box.
