The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced a significant surge in applications for the upcoming local polls, indicating strong public engagement in the democratic process.
Registration Numbers Show Strong Early Turnout
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Comelec Chairman George Garcia revealed that a total of 768,263 individuals have already filed their applications to become registered voters for the November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). The data, collected from October 20 to November 30, 2025, shows a promising start to the registration period.
"This is a good sign that we are reaching our estimated numbers even before the deadline," Chairman Garcia stated in an interview. The commission aims to register approximately 1.4 million new voters before the registration period concludes.
Breakdown of Applicants and Top Performing Regions
The detailed breakdown of the 768,263 applicants is as follows:
- 600,275 applicants are for the Barangay elections.
- 167,988 applicants are for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or youth council polls.
Geographically, the Calabarzon region leads the nation with the highest number of applicants at 163,939. It is followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with 92,890 applicants and Central Luzon with 88,757 applicants.
Meanwhile, the Comelec's flexible Register Anywhere/Anytime Program (RAP) has recorded 1,911 applicants, offering convenience for those who cannot visit local election offices.
Deadline and Future Steps
The voter registration period for the 2026 BSKE is ongoing and will continue until May 18, 2026. This gives eligible Filipinos, including first-time voters and those who need to reactivate or transfer their registration, several more months to sign up.
The strong early response suggests a high level of awareness and interest in the barangay and youth elections, which are crucial for grassroots governance and leadership development. The Comelec encourages all qualified citizens who have not yet registered to visit their local election office before the deadline to ensure their right to vote is secured.
