MANILA, April 29 – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has renewed its urgent call on all Filipino registered overseas voters in Saudi Arabia to cast their votes now and not wait until the last days of elections ending on May 09. This is in light of the modest voter turnout during the first 18 days of overseas voting in Riyadh and Al Khobar.
The following graphic shows actual voter turnout from April 9 to 25:
As of April 25, voter turnout at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reached 12,131 or a mere 10.65% of the total 113,895 registered voters in the Embassy’s Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV).
Voter turnout at the International Philippine School in Al Khobar (IPSA) fared better with a total of 5,046 or 14.87% of the total 33,926 registered voters in the CLOV of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Al Khobar.
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ezzedin H. Tago renewed his urgent call for all registered Filipino overseas voters to exercise their right to vote. “I was initially encouraged by the fervent enthusiasm of many Filipinos about this year’s National Elections as represented in social media. Unfortunately, increased activity on social media does not elect national leaders. I challenge all overseas voters to go out and cast your votes as soon as possible and before May 09,” said Ambassador Tago.
COMELEC recently issued guidelines allowing overseas voters with active status who are registered in one location but now residing in another location to vote where they reside, upon the voter’s written manifestation and COMELEC’s approval.
On the request of Filipinos and under the Embassy’s “Dear Embassy Program,” the Embassy has also issued letters to employers to allow their workers to come to the Embassy and vote.
For more information on overseas voting in Saudi Arabia, please visit: http://riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph/newsroom/press-releases/125-overseas-voting/2557-pr-073-2016 (DFA)