DFA exec: 1.3 M overseas voters a ‘game-changer’ in 2016 polls

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has announced on Monday that it has reached the 1.3 million mark of registered overseas voters for the 2016 elections.

In a statement, Office of Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis said that a total 1, 301, 598 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) became registered voters as of October 15, 2015.

Seguis said that if 1.3 million overseas voters could influence at least three family members, their sector could bring about 5.2 million votes to their preferred candidates.

“Since overseas Filipinos are considered to be their family’s bread winners, it is not a stretch to surmise that each overseas Filipino can influence the vote of at least three family members. Thus, the 1.3 million active registered overseas voters are roughly equivalent to 5.2 million votes. This is a definite game changer for Philippine politics,” Seguis said.

Majority of overseas Filipino voters are based in the Middle East and Africa, where 550,000 active registered voters reside. It is followed by 250,000 voters in the Americas, about 150,000 in Europe; and, 320,000 in Asia and the Pacific.

Seafarers amount to 30,000 registered overseas voters.

On its part, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) commended the embassies for including overseas voting registration in their services.

“I hope we can further look into the possibility of holding these registrations in public areas like malls, public squares and parks, community centers and other suitable places where the host government allows the conduct of election-related activities,” Comelec Chairman Andres D. Bautista said.

Last June, the DFA completed the rollout of online voters’ registration program which is accessible to OFWs worldwide.

Voters’ registration will end on October 31, 2015.