THE number of registered voters has climbed to around 71 million ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled in November this year, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Tuesday.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the number is significantly higher than the 68 million voters recorded during the 2025 national and local elections.
Garcia said that the number of registered SK voters surged to around 25 million.
He said around 5.6 million registered from Oct. 20, 2025 to May 18, 2026.
According to Garcia, the increase reflects strong public participation and heightened voter interest ahead of the BSKE scheduled on Nov. 2.
The Comelec has intensified preparations for the nationwide polls, including precinct planning, validation of voter lists and coordination with local government units to ensure orderly and credible elections.
Those who can vote for the SK are 15 to 30 years old.
Garcia said that voter registration may resume in February 2027 after the conduct of the synchronized barangay and youth council polls.
The November 2026 elections will determine the next set of barangay officials and youth leaders who will serve communities across the country for the next term.
