Comelec to start shipping OAV ballots next week

With this, Comelec spokesperson Jimenez is optimistic that they will surpass the record six years ago. (File Photo by Elmer B. Domingo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it will start shipping ballots to different posts abroad for the overseas absentee voting (OAV) next week.

“First shipment will be second week of March. We have finished the printing of ballots and right now we have started the packing of the ballots which will be shipped to different posts to be delivered to voters overseas. These envelopes contain the ballots, instructions to voters and also the list of candidates for the 2019 elections,” Elaiza David, Director III at the Office for Overseas Voting, told reporters.

Filipinos abroad will be voting for national positions only, 12 senators and one party-list group.

The voting period is 30 days, which will begin on April 13, (host country time) and will end on May 13 (Philippine Time).

There is a total of 1,822,173 overseas voters, majority of them are in the Middle East and Africa.

The OAV turnout in the 2016 presidential elections was at 31 percent while the recorded participation of voters in the 2013 mid-term polls was at 16 percent.

With this, Comelec spokesperson Jimenez is optimistic that they will surpass the record six years ago.

“In previous years, we have seen a low voter turnout. The atmosphere now is different. I think there are signs that should give us hope that foster a sense of optimism that we will see good numbers this time around,” she said.