ZAMBOANGA City-- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has deactivated 62,000 registered voters in this city for failure to votes in two consecutive elections. Of the total number, 22,000 were from this city’s first congressional district while the 40,000 in the second district. Atty. Stephen Roy Cañete, first district election officer, told the Philippines News Agency the deactivation of the voters is pursuant to Section 27 of Republic Act 8189 otherwise known as the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 and Comelec Resolution 9863 promulgated on April 1, 2014. Cañete said the deactivated voters can no longer vote unless they reactivate their records with the Comelec. He said among the reasons why voters failed to vote is due to discouragement of long lines on election day and their place of work is located on another place. He urged the deactivated voters to reactivate their records so they can vote in May 2016 national and local elections to be able to exercise their right of suffrage. pna