Embassy: 7,500 Saudi-based Pinoys register to vote in 2016
At least 7,500 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia have registered so they can vote in the 2016 elections, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reported over the weekend.
The embassy said 7,511 Filipinos had registered for overseas voting from the start of overseas voting registration last May 6 to August 13.
"Since the new procedures, every day we process about 400 new registrants for overseas voting. We have five encoders for OVR (overseas voting registration) working non-stop during working hours and we ask everyone’s patience as we work to ensure that everyone completes the registration procedure as quickly as possible," Ambassador Ezzedin Tago said.
He said the high turnout is due to the Department of Foreign Affairs' new initiative to include verification of voter’s registration status for those seeking passport renewal and other consular services.
Meanwhile, the Embassy said it will soon upload the application forms on the front page of its website.
This is for anyone who wants to download the form and complete it before going to the Embassy.
"Some information may not be readily known to the applicant, and would require that the applicants check with their records to enable them to complete the form," it said.
Meanwhile, the Embassy reminded Filipinos in the Kingdom the registration for overseas voting will continue until October 31, 2015.
"Filipinos who previously registered but did not vote for two consecutive elections will need to undergo registration. In addition, Filipinos now may register in the Riyadh even if they are voting in another country or in the Philippines," it said. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News
The embassy said 7,511 Filipinos had registered for overseas voting from the start of overseas voting registration last May 6 to August 13.
"Since the new procedures, every day we process about 400 new registrants for overseas voting. We have five encoders for OVR (overseas voting registration) working non-stop during working hours and we ask everyone’s patience as we work to ensure that everyone completes the registration procedure as quickly as possible," Ambassador Ezzedin Tago said.
He said the high turnout is due to the Department of Foreign Affairs' new initiative to include verification of voter’s registration status for those seeking passport renewal and other consular services.
Meanwhile, the Embassy said it will soon upload the application forms on the front page of its website.
This is for anyone who wants to download the form and complete it before going to the Embassy.
"Some information may not be readily known to the applicant, and would require that the applicants check with their records to enable them to complete the form," it said.
Meanwhile, the Embassy reminded Filipinos in the Kingdom the registration for overseas voting will continue until October 31, 2015.
"Filipinos who previously registered but did not vote for two consecutive elections will need to undergo registration. In addition, Filipinos now may register in the Riyadh even if they are voting in another country or in the Philippines," it said. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News
Comments