Over 950,000 overseas Filipinos register for 2013 polls

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Despite failing its target of one million overseas absentee voters for the 2013 midterm elections, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday the number overseas voters has tripled since absentee balloting for Filipinos abroad was introduced in 2004.

As of October 30, the DFA said the total number of overseas absentee voting (OAV) registrants reached 950,216, of which 360,386 were new registrants.

The 360,386 new registrants processed for the 2013 OAV registration period surpassed the 359,236 new voters approved during the registration for 2004 polls; 143,236 in 2007; and 235,950 in 2010.

The DFA-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat, through the various Philippine diplomatic and overseas labor posts around the world, registered OAV applicants up to the very last day of registration on Oct. 31.

The OAVS earlier requested for an extension of the registration but this was denied by the Commission on Elections.

The department conducted ther information drive for absentee voters through its slogan, “Boto nyo…kinabukasan namin” (Your vote…our future) aimed at increasing political consciousness and participation of Filipinos overseas.

The OAVs lauded Filipino community associations, migrant workers organizations, online groups, television networks, and newspapers such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer for partnering with the DFA’s registration drive.

Overseas absentee voters will be able to cast ballots for 12 senators and one party-list representative in the May 13, 2013 polls.