MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday that more than 5,000 voters took advantage of satellite registration booths to validate or register as voters during kick-off activities at shopping malls nationwide.

Comelec chairman Andres Bautista told journalists that a total of 5,229 have been listed as voters or validated their voter registration records at the satellite registration booths set up in nine malls during the last weekend.

“In spite of the rains over the weekend and the relatively short notice, the first salvo of our weekend mall registration turnout was impressive,” Bautista said.

Records from the Comelec Education and Information Department indicated that 2,952 voters registered and validated in Glorietta, Market! Market!, UP Town Center, Fairview Terraces, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM South Mall, SM Manila, and SM Centerpoint on Saturday last week.

Another 2,277 voters registered at Glorietta, Market! Market!, UP Town Center, and Fairview Terraces on Sunday.

Bautista observed that this only shows that Comelec’s decision to tie up with Robinsons Malls, Ayala Malls, and SM Supermalls is bearing fruit.

“During regular days in local Comelec offices, only a handful come in to register. With these results, it only shows that people will bear even long lines inside malls just to be able to register,” Bautista said.

Due to the positive result, Bautista said that the Comelec is also looking at improving services at the booths they have installed in shopping malls.

He said the plan is to place more chairs to accommodate those standing in line; hang more signage; provide sound system to their personnel for announcements and further instructions, among others.

“The Comelec is voter-focused, and we are looking for ways to enhance the voting experience,” he noted.

Bautista reiterated his call to individuals who are not yet registered voters or have incomplete biometric data to take advantage of the satellite registration booths installed in the malls.

Satellite registration booths in Robinson’s Novaliches (Quezon City District 5); Robinson’s Metro East (Pasig City District 1 and 2); and Robinson’s Manila (Manila Districts 1 to 6) will be open on Saturday.

From July 18 to 19, the Comelec will hold voter registration activities in Trinoma (Quezon City Districts 1, 2, 4, and 6) and Alabang Town Center (Muntinlupa City).

The Comelec also disclosed that there is a plan to expand the mall-based satellite registration project to the provinces by partnering with the Walter Mart Community Malls.

“We want to bring the success of our mall registration in Metro Manila to the provinces,” the poll chief said.

So far, satellite registration booths are already scheduled at Walter Mart Makiling, Laguna (July 15); Walter Mart Calamba, Laguna (July 17); Walter Mart Tanauan, Batangas (July 17); Walter Mart San Fernando, Pampanga (July 17 and 18); Walter Mart Guiguinto, Bulacan (July 25); Walter Mart Gen. Trias, Cavite (July 25); Walter Mart Sta. Maria, Bulacan (July 31); Walter Mart Plaridel, Bulacan (July 31 and August 1); and Walter Mart Gapan, Nueva Ecija (July 31 and August 1).

“Walter Mart Malls are located very near communities. This is why we are confident that voters will surely flock to the satellite registration booths that will be set-up inside its malls,” Bautista said.

Bautista said a similar tie-up is being considered with Gaisano Grand Malls in the coming days.