The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has warned “flying voters” or persons who resort to multiple registrations at the behest of unscrupulous politicians who want them to vote for their candidacies more than once in the May 10, 2010 fully automated election can be detected or caught with the use of Data Capturing Machines (DCMs) being used in the ongoing registration of new voters and transferees.

The Comelec, led by Chairman Jose A.R. Melo, made the warning pointing out that in Region IV (Southern Luzon), a total of 1,399 double or multiple registrants have been spotted with the use of DCMs.

Region IV Regional Director Juanito O. Icaro reported to the Comelec that of the 1,399 multiple registrants, 522 were caught in Region IV-A comprising of the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon and Rizal, and 877 were found in Region IV-B composed of Marinduque, Occ. Mindoro, Or. Mindoro, Palawan and Romblon.

Icaro said each and everyone of the new registrants have their biometrics recorded by the Comelec using DCMs which take their fingerprints electronically, capture their pictures digitally, and record their signatures on pressure sensitive signature pads.

Comelec officials said for previously registered voters who have not enrolled their biometrics, the process will enroll them in the Comelec database and ensure that each set of biometrics data – the fingerprint, facial image, and signature – refer to only one individual.