MANILA, Philippines- Tumaas ang bilang ng botanteng overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) na nagpartisipa sa month-long overseas online voting period. Ito ang sinabi ng mga opisyal ng Philippine embassy sa United Arab Emirates.
Habang tumanggi naman ang mga opisyal na maglabas ng eksaktong pigura, iniulat ng mga ito na ang bilang ng OFWs na bumoto ay tumaas.
Ang pagtaas ng bilang ay habang papalapit na ang May 12 deadline para sa online voting, nakatakdang magsara ng 3 p.m. UAE time (7 p.m. Philippine time).
“This is an anticipated scenario. We have seen a significant increase in the trend, nag-pick up talaga during these last few days. Marami na naghahabol especially when Comelec extended the enrollment for online voting and we are very positive na tuloy-tuloy na ‘to,” ang sinabi ni Vice Consul Kevin Mark Gomez, Chairman of the Special Board of Elections (SBE) and Third Secretary sa isang panayam.
“With our recent outreach in the Western Region and Al Ain and now in Abu Dhabi City during the weekends, we are very sure it’s going to attract more OFWs to vote,” dagdag ni Gomez.
Tinuran pa ni Gomez na bukas ang embahada ng weekends para magbigay ng onsite assistance sa registered OFW voters.
Habang ang mayorya ng OFWs na bumisita sa embahada ay humingi ng tulong sa enrollment at online voting process, may ilan naman ang mas pinili na huwag ng tumuloy matapos na mapag-alaman na ang manual voting ay hindi na opsyon.
“There were some who came but turned away upon learning that manual voting is no longer available. They left of their own volition. Some arrived assuming they could still vote manually, but as we’ve explained, that option is no longer offered. As chair of the SBE, we’re here to assist with the online voting process and ensure everything runs smoothly. We take the time to explain how online voting works, and we even allow them to express their concerns about the change—as long as they are not disruptive,” ang litaniya nito.
Upang masiguro na ang bawat eligible voter ay magagawang magamit ang kanilang karapatan, pinaigting ng embahada at consulate team ang kanilang outreach efforts, kabilang na ang paggamit sa mga Filipino influencers sa iba’t ibang lugar sa UAE para palakasin ang panawagan na bumoto.
“So inaasahan ko po ang inyong partisipasyon. Makilahok po kayo and make your voice known, make your votes be counted in this online voting system. Asahan ko po ‘yan, maraming salamat po,” ang sinabi ni Ambassador Alonso Ferdinand Ver, paghikayat na rin sa mga OFWs na nakapost sa Facebook page ng Philippine Embassy.
Ayon sa data na ipinalabas ng embahada, ang UAE ang may pinakamalaking bilang ng registered overseas Filipino voters sa buong mundo, may kabuuang 189,892. Sa bilang na ito, 66,001 ay nakarehistro sa Abu Dhabi, habang 123,891 naman ang naka-base Dubai at Northern Emirates.
Patuloy namang pinaaalalahanan ng Embassy officials ang mga botante na bumoto “as early as possible to avoid last-minute issues and system slowdowns.” Ang Comelec ang siyang nangasiwa sa online voting system, awtormatikong magsasara ng alas- 3 ng hapon, UAE time sa May 12.
“The Board of Canvassers will convene as early at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 12, and will proceed with the canvassing immediately after the online voting is closed,” ayon kay Gomes.
“The ballots from the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai will be turned over to Abu Dhabi, where all the ballots will be consolidated and transmitted to the Comelec,” diing pahayag ni Gomez. Kris Jose
