The Commission on Elections (Comelec) says looming term extension for barangay and SK officials may result in postponement of voter registration for the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BKSE) set in July.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia issued the statement after the Senate on Wednesday evening ratified the bicameral conference committee report seeking to extend the term of office for barangay and SK officials from three to four years, and postpone the elections to the first Monday of November 2026.

“We need to understand that this is a political decision and the Comelec cannot intervene with this,” Garcia told reporters.

Garcia said they will wait for the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  whether to approve or veto the proposed measure.

He also said the poll body is set to hold an emergency meeting next week to discuss BSKE preparations, including the procurement of requirements, and the possible suspension of voter registration.

We are thinking that if it will be suspended then we might as well move the voter registration for BSKE after the Bangsamoro polls. It may happen from October to August next year.

With the extended voter registration, the Comelec is now expecting at least 70 million Filipinos will register to vote for the BSKE. The poll body is likewise eyeing to request for a higher 2026 budget.

“Hindi pa natin naco-compute sa kasalukuyan pero iinsist natin, lalo na sa executive department, para sa budget ng 2026 baka maihahabol pa na maibalik yung P2,000 across-the-board na binibigay natin sa ating mga electoral board members,” said Garcia.

“Kahit man lang yung P2,000 maibalik natin and at the same time, magdadagdag tayo ng presinto, guro na maglilingkod, election paraphernalia,” he added.

The Philippines is set to hold the 2025 BSKE on December 1.