Article by:
Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday reminded the repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that they have until August 31 to transfer their registration to be able to participate in the May 2022 national and local elections.
“Especially the OFW repatriates...we’ve been having a very intensive campaign among OFWs asking them to transfer their registration because, for OFWs, the deadline is August 31, which means next week. That is the deadline for them to transfer their registration,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a television interview.
He said the Comelec has decided to open its office in Intramuros, Manila during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to accommodate those who are applying for transfer of voter registration.
Jimenez also urged the OFWs who are aboard and are not yet a registered voter, to register for next year's elections.
“For the rest, who would like to register and first-time voters, they can apply for registration to the embassy and consulate in the country they are employed,” he said.
“I would like to reiterate, August 31 is the deadline for transferees, those who will be transferring from overseas voting to local voting,” he added.
Asked about how powerful OFWs votes are, Jimenez said “I think it will be powerful as persuasive for other voters also.”
“In terms of numbers, we only have a little over a million overseas voters. So, in terms of numbers, it might not be impactful, but they are incredibly relevant,” he added.
The government has repatriated over 600,000 OFWs displaced by the Covid-19 pandemic since May 2020. (PNA)
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