Largest increase of 42% since 2007 elections is recorded in ARMM

The National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) reported today that the number of registered voters reported by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) increased by 12.65% from the 45.03 million registered in the 2007 elections to the 50.74 million registered for the May 2010 elections. There were 43.44 million voters registered in the 2004 elections, giving the 2007 elections a 3.43% increase over 2004.

Applying the National Census and Statistics Board annual average population growth rate of 1.95 % (working figure for the years 2005 – 2010), the reasonable increase in the growth in number of registered voters over a three year period should be around 6 to 8%.

NAMFREL’s Bantay ng Bayan project undertook the research based on the COMELEC’s own Voter Registration Data for election years 2004, 2007, and 2010. The data included voters covered in the voter registration extension period for December 21-23, 28 and 29, 2009.

The significant difference in increases between number of registered voters and population would seem to indicate a large number of multiple registrants or that the voters lists have not been completely cleaned up by the COMELEC. NAMFREL estimates that the over-listing may run to an estimated three million names, assuming that the 2007 list was an accurate, cleaned up list.

Notably, the region with the highest increase from 2007 to 2010 — 42% — was the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, where the “Hello Garci” controversy was centered in the 2004 elections, and which remains unresolved. Every province in ARMM recorded an increase higher than the national average. Maguindanao province alone registered an increase in number of registered voters of 82% from the 2007 to the 2010 elections, following a 21% drop from the 2004 to 2007 elections.

ARMM recorded marked increases in number of voters from 2004 to 2007 to 2010, surpassing the national average increase in 2007 and 2010.
The region with the lowest increase from 2007 to 2010 was Region VI in the Visayas, with a jump of 7.6% (below the national average).

Metro Manila or the National Capital Region recorded the second lowest increase of 7.83%, although different cities in the NCR exhibited wide ranges in change. The cities of Malabon, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paranaque, San Juan, and Taguig all recorded increases of ranging from 20,81% to 29.56%. Pateros recorded a decrease of 13.54%. It is not clear whether changes in voter registration population were a reflection of cleaning of the voters lists or of internal migration among cities and with other parts of the country.

NATIONAL CITIZENS’ MOVEMENT FOR FREE ELECTIONS (NAMFREL)
Room 601, DMG Center, 52 Libertad corner Calbayog St.
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Telephone: +63 (2) 484-7590; 571-9943
Telefax: +63 (2) 470-4151
E-Mail [email protected]
Website: www.namfrel.com.ph