In the Philippine democratic system, the right of suffrage is a fundamental constitutional guarantee. However, this right is not self-executing; it requires the act of registration. As citizens move for work, marriage, or personal reasons, the law provides a mechanism to ensure they can exercise their vote in their current place of residence. This process is known as the Transfer of Voter Registration.
1. Legal Basis
The primary governing law for voter registration and transfers is Republic Act No. 8189, also known as the "Voter's Registration Act of 1996." This is further implemented through specific resolutions issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) during every registration period (e.g., COMELEC Resolution No. 10868 for the most recent cycles).
2. Eligibility for Transfer
To qualify for a transfer of registration, a person must meet the following criteria:
- Existing Registration: The individual must be a currently registered voter in another city, municipality, or district.
- Residency Requirement: The applicant must have resided in the new city or municipality for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the upcoming election.
- Non-Disqualification: The applicant must not be disqualified by law (e.g., by final judgment for certain crimes or declared incompetent by a court).
3. Essential Requirements
When applying for a transfer at the local Office of the Election Officer (OEO), the applicant must present the following:
Accomplished Application Form (CEF-1): This is the revised registration form provided by COMELEC. It serves for registration, transfer, and reactivation.
Valid Identification: Any of the following government-issued IDs (original and photocopy):
PhilSys National ID
Passport
Driver’s License
UMID / SSS / GSIS ID
Postal ID
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
PRC License
Senior Citizen’s ID / PWD ID
Proof of Residence (Optional but Recommended): While a valid ID with the new address is usually sufficient, COMELEC officers may request supplemental proof such as a Barangay Certificate of Residency or utility bills if the ID does not reflect the current address.
Note: Cedula (Community Tax Certificate) and Police Clearances are generally not accepted as valid identification for voter registration purposes.
4. The Step-by-Step Process
- Verification: The applicant visits the OEO or a satellite registration site. The staff verifies if the applicant is indeed registered in another locality through the National List of Registered Voters (NLRV).
- Application Filing: The applicant submits three (3) copies of the CEF-1 form.
- Biometrics Capture: Even if biometrics were taken in the previous precinct, new biometrics (digital photograph, fingerprints, and signature) are captured to update the local database.
- Issuance of Acknowledgment Receipt: The Election Officer provides a stub as proof of application. This does not mean the transfer is final; it is merely an acknowledgment of receipt.
5. The Role of the Election Registration Board (ERB)
The transfer is not "automatic" upon filing. All applications undergo a hearing by the Election Registration Board (ERB).
The ERB meets quarterly to officially approve or disapprove applications. During this period, any registered voter in the municipality may file an opposition to the transfer if they believe the applicant does not meet the residency requirements. Once the ERB approves the application, the name is removed from the old precinct and added to the new Book of Voters.
6. Types of Transfers
| Type of Transfer | Description |
|---|---|
| Transfer from another City/Municipality | Moving from one town/city to a completely different one. |
| Transfer within the same City/Municipality | Moving from one barangay to another within the same town. |
| Transfer with Reactivation | For voters whose records were deactivated (e.g., failed to vote in two consecutive elections) and who have also moved. |
7. Important Deadlines
The COMELEC strictly enforces a "registration period." No transfers or registrations are allowed after the set deadline, which usually falls several months before an election (often at the end of September for a May election). This allows the COMELEC to finalize the Precinct Computerized Voters List (PCVL).