COMELEC taps FilComs abroad to assist in delivery of ballots

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), thru COMELEC Minute Resolution No. 16-0276, has ruled to approve and confirm the recommendation of Commissioner Arthur D. Lim, Commissioner-In-Charge of Overseas Voting, to allow overseas posts to course the delivery of ballots contained in electoral mails through reputable Filipino Communities to expedite the delivery of ballots intended for overseas voters.

In a Memorandum dated 18 April 2016, Commissioner Lim said "the Commission recognizes the manpower limitations of the post, the distance of some voters from the polling place/embassy/consulate/post concerned as well as the valuable contribution of FilComs in the electoral exercise abroad" and that it "recognizes and values the right of suffrage of every Filipino overseas voter and encourages the active participation of all sectors in the upcoming May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections."

Thus as Commissioner-In-Charge of Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV), Commissioner Lim issued OFOV Guidelines 2016-002 which allowed Posts to tap the assistance of reputable Filipino Communities abroad (FilComs) in the distribution of ballots contained in electoral mails to Filipino overseas voters, provided that the President or Secretary-General of the aforesaid FilComs submit a written undertaking that, (a) they will strictly hand over the ballots contained in electoral mails to the Filipino overseas voter/s concerned, (b) they are not supporting or endorsing any candidate or any political party, (c) they will send the ballot envelopes containing the accomplished ballots as such to the Post concerned through fastest means available and that the same will reach the Post before the close of voting on May 9, 2016 at 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon and, (d) its officers are all Filipino citizens. These guidelines are only applicable to Posts adopting Postal Voting, the COMELEC said.

Overseas Filipino voters may vote in Posts nearest their residence, workplace

Recognizing the "unique status of overseas Filipinos and the fact that they are highly mobile" and in response to the "clamor of registered Filipino overseas voters," the COMELEC also approved and confirmed OFOV Guidelines 2016-001 which allowed registered overseas Filipino voters to vote in posts nearest their residence and or workplace.

"All registered overseas voters with active registration status in any Post may be allowed to vote in the embassy/consulate/post near their current places of residence or work. For this purpose, said active OVs shall manifest their intention to vote in writing before the aforesaid embassy/consulate/post concerned," the COMELEC ruled. ###

Source: Education and Information Department