CEBU CITY, (PNA) -– Cebu City’s registered voters soared close to the half a million mark as election offices in the city’s north and south congressional districts continue to register new voters for the 2010 elections.

As of last count, this vote rich city has at least 492,159 registered voters.

The Commission on Election (Comelec) north district office in Cebu City has at least 226,159 registered voters, excluding those that applied for registration after Sept. 18, which the Election Registration Board has yet to approve.

In the city’s south district, the number of registered voters has reached 266,000.

In 2007, Cebu City had a total of 460,978 registered voters.

Local poll officials projected the number of voters to increase by 10 percent over the number of voters who signed up in 2007 since more applicants are expected to register until the Oct. 31 deadline.

Lawyer Marchel Sarno, Comelec election officer for the north district, said those who have not registered yet have until midnight of Oct. 31 to do so.

But he advised them not to wait until the deadline to register.

”They can now come to the Comelec at night because the registration process includes no break and the office is open from Monday to Sunday,” he said.

Sarno said the Comelec has stretched office hours up to 9 p.m. starting Friday to accommodate last-minute registrants. The poll body’s Cebu office will also be open on weekends.

On Oct, 31, the last day of registration, voters may register until midnight.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Cebu Provincial Elections Supervisor said the extended workday is normal since the deadline is fast approaching.

The new schedule will also allow working individuals to register.

He encouraged voters to sign up because the commission may not extend the registration schedule.

Registrants need to bring a valid identification card, such as their passport, or a company or any government-issued identification card.