LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Ilocos Norte reminds the public to register early for the 2025 national and local elections and avoid last minute rush on the Sept. 30 deadline.

In a media interview, Lawyer Alipio Alonzo Castillo, provincial election supervisor, is encouraging eligible voters to be ‘politically active’ by registering to vote for the rightful leaders in the upcoming elections.

“The government led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. came up with commendable projects for the people. It would be unfortunate if people do not support programs such as our electoral processes,” said Castillo.

He also stated that registration has been made easy and convenient as Comelec offices are open on weekends and holidays, except March 28-30 for the holy week, to accommodate registrants.

Moreover, the Register Anywhere Program (RAP), an initiative of Comelec, allows more people to register to vote wherever they are in the country.

“There will be no more reasons not to register as we have made it accessible for all to register. We are doing everything we can to reach out to more people so they can register,” said Castillo.

In Ilocos Norte, the Comelec office in Laoag City is identified as the RAP site.

RAP is only available until Aug. 31.

The elections supervisor shared that registrants who availed of this program are mostly youth who study in Ilocos Norte but live elsewhere.

As of Feb. 27, a total of 3,237 regular registrants are accommodated, with 1,444 new voters registered. (JCR/MJTAB PIA Ilocos Norte)