MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has deferred the registration of voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) until the Supreme Court rules on whether the ARMM elections will push through or postponed to 2013.

“The outcome of the case upholding or invalidating the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 10153 will grossly affect the logistical and administrative preparations and requirements of the Commission on Elections for the ARMM elections and the resumption of the registration of voters and validation of registration records,” the Comelec said in Resolution 9288.

“(And) In order to place the Commission on Elections in proper perspective in the preparations for the ARMM elections and/or registration of voters, there is a need to defer the conduct of the resumption of the continuing registration of voters and validation of registration records in the ARMM areas,” the September 29 resolution further read.

Last August 12, the Comelec issued Resolution No. 9271 prescribing October 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012 as the registration period in the ARMM.

It was promulgated at a time when the August 8, 2011 elections had not been postponed.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed a law moving the elections in the region to 2013.

The law was eventually challenged before the Supreme Court, which issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) last September 13.

Based on Comelec records there is an estimated 1.8 million voters in the ARMM.