DFA needs 200,000 more Pinoys abroad to register as voters by October 31

As the October 31 deadline for overseas absentee voting (OAV) nears, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is implementing various "creative tactics" such as blogs or social networking posts to get 200,000 more Filipinos to register for OAV.

In a news release, the DFA said as of August 10, more than 800,000 overseas Filipinos have already registered as voters for the 2013 elections. However, the figure is still 200,000 short of its one million target.

The DFA said it will seek "full creative use" of the Internet through website uploads, blogs, social networking posts "for spreading OAV awareness as well as dissemination and posting them in strategic places within the FSPs areas of jurisdiction."

The DFA said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario wrote to around 4,000 leaders of Filipino associations and organizations around the world in a "Letter-Blast" to solicit support in registering their members.

Comelec may allow email voting for OFWs

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may allow email voting for overseas Filipino workers, such as seafarers, in the 2013 mid-term elections.

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes revealed the poll body is working on amendments to the rules on overseas absentee voting, and email voting is one of the proposed amendments.

Brillantes said this is to address the plight of seafarers who maybe unable to go to the nearest Philippine embassies and consulates to vote on election day because they are at sea.

Brillantes estimated that about 500,000 overseas absentee voters are seafarers.

Dubai-based Pinoys register for OAV

Filipinos based in Dubai took the opportunity to register for the Overseas Absentee Voting that would enable them to participate in the 2013 midterm elections in the Philippines.

“Ito ay isang magandang sensyales na talagang interesado sila at gustong-gusto nilang makiaalam sa darating na halalan,” said Vice Consul Gerry Suliguin.

The OAV registration was conducted during the Philippine Independence Day celebration.

The program was also supported by the Filipino Community in Dubai and Northern Emirates.

“This time, we are supporting the government's campaign for overseas absentee voting," said Alan Bacason, the group’s president.

Comelec urges Pinoys abroad to register as overseas voters before Oct. 31

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez on Tuesday urged Filipinos abroad to register as overseas absentee voters (OAV) for the May 2013 Philippine elections before the October 31 deadline.

In an interview with GMA News Online on Tuesday, Jimenez said the Comelec needs the help of Filipino associations abroad in promoting OAV registration because "registration for absentee voting so far has been slower compared to the previous registration cycle.”

According to Jimenez, as of May 3, there have been 74,754 new registrants, including:

- 10,863 registrants in the Asia-Pacific;
- 11,254 registrants in Europe;
- 12,213 in the Middle East and Africa; and
- 11,669 in North America and Latin America.

Mobile center for OAV registration opens in Manila

Overseas-based Filipinos, who are currently in the country, can now register for overseas absentee voting (OAV) at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas office in Manila.

A mobile center for the registration of overseas absentee voters has recently been set up at the CFO office. This is aimed at making it easier for Filipino immigrants, Filipinos married to foreign nationals and OFWs to register for the OAV.

“The establishment of the OAV registration center in CFO aims to bring the registration process closer and more accessible to our clientele,” CFO Secretary Imelda Nicolas said, in a statement.

Comelec junks online voting for 2013 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has junked its plan to use the Internet for the 2013 midterm elections, Comelec Commissioner Armando Velasco said yesterday.

Velasco, chairman of the Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting (COAV), said, “2013 is near; it’s not feasible. The Internet registration and voting will not be available.”

The Overseas Absentee Voting law provides that only ballots cast and mailed ballots received by the Philippine embassies, consulates and other Foreign Service establishments shall be counted.

Comelec to give incentives for overseas absentee voters

To encourage overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to register for the overseas absentee voting (OAV), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) intends to provide incentives if they register for and vote in the May 13, 2013 Philippine elections.

Comelec Committee on OAV (COAV) Chairman Armando Velasco said, “We will try to give them incentives. Maybe after they register and vote, when they come home to the Philippines, there will be a raffle or an incentive for them.”

Velasco noted that most Filipinos would rather work or be with their families rather than go out to register for the elections.

OFWs may register for absentee voting before going abroad

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) plans to allow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to register as absentee voters before leaving the country to enable them to vote in the 2013 polls.

Comelec is considering setting up registration booths in the country’s international airports to allow OFWs to register before their departure.

Comelec Commissioner Armando Velasco said they plan to put up field registration centers to encourage more OFWs to register and participate in absentee voting.

COMELEC Moves Start of OAV Registration

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced today that the resumption of overseas absentee voters’ (OAV) registration period will be moved to November 2, 2011 from October 31, 2011 as originally scheduled.

COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body had to move the start of the OAV list-up since Malacanan has already declared October 31, 2011 as a special non-working holiday to give full opportunity to the public to properly remember their dead “with all its religious fervor.”

“We wish to inform our overseas compatriots that they may register as overseas absentee voters starting November 2, 2011. Applications for registration shall be filed before authorized COMELEC representatives at Embassies and Consulates that has jurisdiction over the places they temporarily reside. Applicants need only present their valid Philippine passports or Seaman’s Book for seafarers when they register,” Jimenez said.

The COMELEC spokesman said OAV registration period will run from November 2, 2011 until October 31 of next year to give ample opportunity to qualified OAV voters abroad to exercise their right to suffrage.

The COMELEC has earlier said they are aiming for one million OAV registrants at the end of the registration period.