News In Brief

To avert a boycott, Manila agrees to new voter sign-up

The ruling party of President Ferdinand Marcos has agreed to a new registration of voters, a move aimed at preventing an opposition boycott of parliamentary elections in May.

Mr. Marcos also signed a formal declaration fixing Jan. 27 as the date of a national referendum on constitutional amendments. The agreement to overhaul voter lists -- generally acknowledged to include many who are dead or never existed -- will pave the way for the important test of National Assembly elections in May.