Central Visayas voter registrations seen to increase ahead of 2026 BSKE

Local

THE Commission on Elections-Central Visayas (Comelex-7) is expecting voter registrations in the region to grow by around 1.5 percent yearly after more than 300,000 individuals applied ahead of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Speaking during the MyTV Cebu Openline News Forum, Comelec-7 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Veronico Petalcorin disclosed that before the May 18, 2026 registration cutoff, the region logged 225,678 applications from regular voters and 92,712 from Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voters.

Comelec records showed that 4,365,983 voters joined the 2023 BSKE in the region. In comparison, participation during the 2025 local elections climbed to 4,389,334, reflecting an increase of over 20,000 voters.

According to Petalcorin, the projected annual growth rate of registrants stands at 1.5 percent, with migration likely contributing to the higher numbers.

He also pointed out that barangay and SK elections consistently record strong voter turnout because many candidates and voters are linked through family and community relationships.

After the registration period ended, Petalcorin said the Election Registration Board (ERB) would begin processing applications involving voter inclusion, reinstatement, transfer, and updates to voter information.

For the 2026 BSKE, the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) will take place from September 28 to October 5. Campaigning, however, will not be allowed between September 28 and October 21.

The official campaign period is scheduled from October 22 to 31, while the broader election period will run from October 3 until November 9.

Election Day is set for November 2, and candidates must submit their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) by December 2.

This year’s BSKE will coincide with the nationwide observance of All Souls’ Day on November 2.

Asked about the timing of the polls, Petalcorin said the schedule was determined by Congress.

Data from the 2023 BSKE also showed that Central Visayas had roughly four million registered regular barangay voters. Among SK voters aged 15 to 17, Cebu recorded approximately 1.1 million registrants, while Bohol had around 350,000. Meanwhile, voters aged 18 to 30 totaled 1,064,357.(MyTVCebu)