The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday reminded Filipinos abroad to register as voters to be able to participate in the May 2019 midterm polls.
The Comelec-Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) issued the reminder as the registration period for overseas absentee voters (OAV) is set to end on Sept. 30.
“#VoterReg2018 for overseas absentee voters ahead of the #NLE2019 is ongoing until September 30,” the poll body said in a statement.
“Advisory to all Overseas Voters: Please take note of the registration deadline,” it added.
Those qualified to register as overseas voter must be a Filipino citizen, who expect to be abroad from April 13-May 13, 2019 or during the overseas voting period for the midterm polls; at least 18 years old on May 13, 2019; and not otherwise disqualified by law.
Applications may be filed at the nearest Philippine Foreign Service Posts; or at the OFOV office located at the Comelec’s main office in Intramuros, Manila.
Nine local field registration centers for OAV have also been identified, namely the Commission on Filipinos Overseas; the Maritime Industry Authority; the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Intramuros; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration at the offices of both the Balik Manggagawa and OWWA; and offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Alabang, Aseana, Robinsons Galleria, and SM Manila.
The poll body expects some 1.9 million overseas voters in the next national elections.
The OAV registration period started last December 1, 2016. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
