Written By: Maria Alliyah Ysabel Picadizo
IN ACTION. Absentee voting in Camp Crame begins on April 27, 2022. Photo released by Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo at SunStar page.
Overseas and local absentee voting for all Filipinos abroad and government employees, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and journalists respectively is now being held since they are not sure if they will be able to vote on the day of the election since we all know that they were busy reporting and guarding our country.
Overseas absentee voting is available from April 10 to May 9 through personal or walk-in voting and postal voting as they may vote either in personal mode, by coming to the Philippine posts in-person to complete their votes, or by postal mode, in which voters will get their ballots by mail and return them to the Philippine Embassy whereas the local absentee voting can be done on April 27, 28, and 29 where the polling location is chosen by their respective heads of government.
According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as of February 2022, a total of 1,697,215 persons have registered as overseas absentee voters for the 2022 election, with 1,677,631 being land-based and the remaining 19,584 being sea-farers.
A total of 93,698 government and media professionals filed for local absentee voting, with COMELEC rejecting 9,341 applications, hence that 84,357 soldiers, police officers, government employees, and media workers whose applications for local absentee voting were granted.
"I [registered to] make sure that I'll be able to cast my vote even [if] I'm not in the Philippines. Whether I'll be working or travelling, this is my promise to myself and my commitment to my country that I will be able to cast my vote on May 9," said the 2015 Filipina Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach who is currently living and voted in Dubai.
“Your vote is sacred. Vote wisely. Vote for leaders who will serve the country & not their own personal interests,” journalist Karen Davila stated in her Facebook post as a local absentee voter.
Filipinos living overseas can vote earlier than the election date in order for their ballots to arrive at the Philippine Embassy by May 9, 2022, at 7:00 AM.
In Singapore, they posted a few reminders as well as for instructions on how to vote in person or by walk-in. It was specified there that voters should bring their passports, precinct number, ballpen, and a list of candidates for whom they intend to vote. Using a phone or any other device is strictly prohibited, and voters must be informed of the proper way to vote. There are three (3) simple procedures for voting: (1) Once they have received their ballot and secrecy folder from the Electoral Board, they must find a vacant chair and begin voting. (2) Once you have finished voting, scan it at the Vote Counting Machine (VCM). (3) Double-check your receipt, fold it twice, and place it in the receptacle.
Countries such as Dubai, which has the most total number of abroad voters (191,799), Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and the United States are among the top five highest total numbers of overseas voters.
Other nations, including New Zealand, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Italy, and the City of New York, were unable to begin on April 10. According to the Comelec, the aforementioned locations would begin offshore voting at a later date due to logistical challenges experienced in the transportation of election supplies. China has also been suspended, despite the city being under full COVID-19 lockdown.
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