The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said there will be no more extension of voters’ registration because such move might affect the preparation of the final voters list.

Comelec Chairman Jose A. R. Melo reiterated the poll body’s stand after Malacañang is leaving it up to the commission whether or not to extend the registration of voters for next year’s elections amid reports that thousands, and possibly millions, have been disenfranchised for failing to register before the October 31 deadline.

“This should be finished by February para mapadala sa field. Kasi yan ang kailangan na kailangan. The list of voters, registry of voters must be in the hands of the BEI (Board of Election Inspectors) on time. Kung hindi mamamatay sila sa nerbiyos,” Melo said Tuesday.

Melo said they did extend voters’ registration in certain areas up to Tuesday because those areas were affected by power outages brought by Typhoon “Santi” Saturday, the last day of registration.

But only those voters who were able to line up and get forms last Saturday were entertained by the poll body Tuesday.

“But it was not understood by everybody. Yung mga tao namin sa field maski yung sa Davao o unaffected areas, akala nila extended until today all over the Philippines,” said Melo.

“That’s what they announced to the people there. So in effect nagkaroon tayo ng one day extension. We will honor what they said,” he added.

Due to what happened, the Comelec said the deadline for the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COC) is extended up to December 1, 2009 because November 30 falls on a holiday.

“Our deadline for the filing of application for candidacy is Nov. 30 which is a holiday. So from November 20, we will be open for the filing of application of candidacy regardless if it’s a Saturday or a holiday including those holidays in the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao),” he said.

“Tuloy-tuloy yan up to 5 p.m. in all those days. On December 1 up to 12 midnight ang filing. Para wala nang problema. Inclusive of Saturday and Sundays,” the Comelec chief said.

The last day, however, for the submission of the names and specimen signatures of the parties authorized to sign nominations will be on Nov. 16.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said they trust the judgment of the election body if it decides not to extend the registration since it needs time to make necessary preparations for the automated elections.

“We would leave this matter to the Comelec. I think it would be the sole judgment of the Comelec if they can extend the registration or not,” she told a press briefing.

In Baguio City, at least 20,000 new voters reportedly failed to register because of the lack of more data capturing machines which could have accommodated more registrants in the resort city.

During the last day of registration Saturday, only 400 new registrants were accommodated even though Comelec personnel extended their services up to midnight. There were over 3,000 people who lined up in front of the Baguio Convention Center to await their turn that day.

“We are certain that the Comelec are concerned at registering more qualified voters. But on the other hand, we also have to consider the timeline that they have set for the preparation of the 2010 elections.

“We have to remember that it is an automated election and they should know better if they think that they need ample time to make the necessary preparations,” Fajardo said.

Comelec records showed that there are now 47 million voters nationwide.

A report from Baguio said that for the past two months, many eligible registrants have been lining up in the Comelec office daily but only 350 individuals are accommodated by the single data capturing machine assigned by the poll body in the city.

Worse, the lone machine usually conks out, depriving more prospective voters from registering.

However, concerned Comelec officials said they should not be blamed considering that the voters registration was opened as early as December last year.