According to Comelec Spokesman John Rex Laudiangco, the RAP booths in SM Fairview, Robinsons Manila, SM Sucat, Robinsons Galleria, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Tacloban, SM City Legazpi, and Robinsons Naga will be opened for the final time on January 21 and 22.
“Until further notice, January 22 will be the last day of mall RAP as consistently announced since the commencement of the project,” said Laudiangco.
The final RAP activities in the malls come as it has started to gain momentum with more applicants filing their applications.
There were a total of 2,043 applications for voter registration that were filed in the RAP booths from January 14 to 15.
This is higher than the 1,129 applications from January 7 to 8; and the 611 applicants from December 17 to 18.
But while those in malls will already end, the Comelec said RAP booths will still be set up in other venues.
The poll body said RAP booths will be opened at the Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Office on January 23, Senate of the Philippines on January 25, and House of Representatives on January 25-26.
Under the RAP, any qualified applicant residing anywhere in the Philippines may register at the RAP booths by submitting their application form, documentary requirements, and have their biometrics taken on-site.
Originally, RAP only accept and process applications for new registration; and transfer of registration record from another city/municipality/district.
Subsequently, the Comelec expanded the RAP coverage by accommodating applications for reactivation; for transfer of overseas voters back to the Philippines (Post to Local); of residents of the city/district, where the RAP sites are located; and of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs), who are new registrants or will update their records.
The submitted documents and captured biometrics data shall then be endorsed and transmitted by the recipient RAP teams to the Office of the Election Offcier of the district/city/municipality having jurisdiction over the residence of the applicant. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)