GOVPH
MENU
Hits: 3784

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE
PR-063-2016
16 April 2016

 

CAST YOUR VOTES NOW!
Filipinos urged to cast their votes before May 9

 

(Riyadh, 16 April 2016) – The Philippine Embassy concluded its first week of the 30-day election for overseas voters at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the International Philippine School in Al Khobar (IPSA). Voter turn-out were lower than the Embassy had expected with the Embassy urging all registered voters in Saudi Arabia to cast their votes early and not wait until 09 May 2016.

Missing
Figure 1 Voters looking for their assigned precincts before casting their votes

The first week of the 30-day election for overseas voters concluded today at two locations under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Overseas voting began on 09 April 2016 at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh for registered voters in Riyadh, Central and Northern Provinces and at the International Philippine School in Al Khobar (IPSA) for registered voters in the Eastern Province.

Voter turn-out at both polling venues on the first week of overseas voting remained modest with less than 7% of voters having cast their votes so far in Riyadh. Turn-out at IPSA in Al Khobar was better at over 9% of registered voters in the CLOV of POLO Al Khobar.

Missing
Figure 2 Voters are being assisted in finding their precincts by personnel at the Voter's Assistance Desk

There are 113,895 registered voters under the Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV) of Riyadh PE while there are 33,926 registered voters in the CLOV of POLO in Al Khobar.

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ezzedin H. Tago, reiterated his call for all registered overseas voters in Saudi Arabia to cast their votes early and avoid the usual huge crowds on the last day of elections. “I urge all Kababayans to cast your votes NOW! Huwag na po nating hintayin ang May 9 para bumoto,” said Ambassador Tago.

Missing
Figure 3 Voter's falling in line at their assigned precincts

On the voter turn-out on the first week of overseas voting, Ambassador Tago remained hopeful that the numbers will increase. “The Embassy made the necessary preparations to accommodate more voters per day than the actual turn-out. I remain hopeful that thousands more of Filipinos in Saudi Arabia will turn-out to vote in the coming days,” concluded Ambassador Tago.

The following are important details regarding overseas voting:

 

Venue:

 

Philippine Embassy in Riyadh

Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh

 

 

International Philippine School in Al Khobar (IPSA)

Al Khobar, Eastern Province

 

Who may vote:

Registered overseas voters whose names appear in the CLOV under Riyadh PE; registered seafarers

See http://riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/component/content/article/114-overseas-voting/2325

Registered overseas voters whose names appear in the CLOV under POLO Al Khobar; registered seafarers

See http://riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/component/content/article/114-overseas-voting/2326

Period:

09 April to 09 May 2016

Daily including weekends and holidays

Daily schedule:

Daily 8:00AM to 5:00PM

Weekdays: 12:00NN to 8:00PM

Weekends: 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Last day:

09 May 2016 from 8:00AM to 12:00NN*

*Per COMELEC Res. 10087

Requirements:

 ANY of the following may be presented to the SBEI:
  1. Original PHL passport
  2. Voter’s ID
  3. Any PHL-issued ID
  4. Iqama
  5. Seaman’s book (if seafarer)

Reminders:

Inspect your voter receipt and drop it in the receipt receptacle. Do not leave voting area with the voter receipt.

Taking photographs of the ballot or the voter receipt is an election offense.

END