By Francesco Janne L Dela Cruz and Jim B Akut II

Program officers and student volunteers of the Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana – Social Involvement Office of Xavier University went around the campus and onto the streets of the city to advocate for voters’ registration and biometrics registration.

The activities last month were part of the initiatives of the electoral group LIHUK 2016 (Lambigit Igsuon alang sa Hiniusang pag-Uswag para sa atong Katilingban) in support of the Commission on Elections’ “No Bio, No Boto” policy.

The Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act (Republic Act No. 10367), signed in 2013, requires registered voters to have their biometrics validated by the Comelec. Otherwise, they will be labeled as inactive and disallowed to vote. The government emphasizes that the biometric technology is one of the steps in ensuring a clean, honest and fair 2016 election.

Cagayan de Oro is included in the list of the top 20 areas (regions or cities) with the most number of voters without validation of their biometrics according to the Legal Network for Truthful Elections.

Deadline of validation is October 31. Voters can visit the Comelec office along Burgos-Cruz Taal Street and their satellite registration venues across the city.