MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Embassy in Singapore said its preparations for overseas absentee voting for the Filipino community there are in full swing.
In an interview with ABS-CBN’s "TeleRadyo" on Wednesday, Philippine Embassy in Singapore First Secretary and Consul Joyleen Santos said it has also started information dissemination on overseas voting. A voter’s education forum was held last Sunday.
"It was conducted via Zoom and aside from that, patuloy po ang aming pag-issue ng advisories, infographics, pinapa-igting po namin ang social media campaign namin para maipaalam po sa ating mga botante kung ano ang mga kailangan nilang malaman, mga general information, mga dos and don'ts, prohibitions and advice and also the process on how we intend to conduct the elections," Santos said.
(It was conducted via Zoom and aside from that, we continue to issue advisories, infographics, we are intensifying our social media campaign to let voters know what they need to know, all the general information, dos and don’ts, prohibitions and advice and also the process on how we intend to conduct the elections.)
Meanwhile, she said those who want to be accredited as poll watchers are welcome to submit applications.
The update comes after groups of Filipinos in other countries expressed concern of getting disenfranchised as the Philippine embassies and consulates in their respective countries allegedly failed to prepare in time for overseas absentee voting.
READ: Overseas Filipinos say lack of preparations, info may keep many from voting
Registered voters in Singapore totaled 84,877, according to the Commission on Elections. Land-based voters stood 83,229.
The embassy said it only saw a 47-percent voter turnout in the 2016 presidential elections, while the 2019 midterm elections recorded a 32-percent voter turnout. While a full voter turnout might not be in sight, Santos said the embassy is still preparing in case more Filipinos decide to vote.
Filipinos based in Singapore may start casting their ballots in-person at the Philippine Embassy along Nassim Road on Sunday until May 9. — Kaycee Valmonte