The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here has accepted 171 applications in Negros Oriental for its Register Anywhere Program (RAP) for voters signing up for the 2025 mid-term elections.

The RAP allows Filipino citizens of voting age to register and vote anywhere outside of a person’s residence.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, regional election director of the Comelec-Negros Island Region, urged the public to avail of the RAP before its deadline at the end of August.

“While the regular registration of voters’ deadline is on Sept. 30, the RAP will have to end earlier because the records of registrants will have to be consolidated and forwarded to the areas where they originate for validation,” Castillano said.

The RAP is only available in selected areas, such as capital cities like Dumaguete, he said.

Most of those who register under the RAP include students and workers who may not be able to return home on election day.

Castillano said they will be taking advantage of the upcoming Founder’s Day of Silliman University here from Aug. 19 to 23 to hold a RAP enlistment as the festivities draw alumni and visitors to this city.

Meanwhile, the Comelec is not giving for free the Certificate of Voter’s Registration to registered voters so they can avail of government assistance in the absence of a national identification card issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The document previously cost PHP75 each and is a valid government ID that can be used for official transactions. (PNA)