DFA exec: 2022 OAV a success, results expected to be finalized this week

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said the overseas absentee voting (OAV) was a success despite challenges amid the pandemic.

At the Laging Handa news briefing, DFA Overseas Voting Secretariat director Zolio Velasco said there were about 32% to 33% voting turnout among overseas voters so far.

“It’s a success kasi nalagpasan natin ang record ng 2016 elections. Noong 2016 kasi 31.45% 'yung ating voting turnout…ngayon mas masasabi natin na excited silang bumoto kasi base sa report na natanggap natin everyday na voting turnout ng mga kababayan natin abroad na pumupunta sa mga embassy o nagpapadala ng mga balota nila nasa 32% to 33% ang voting turnout...So, talagang napakaganda at napaka-successful ng ating botohan,” Velasco said.

(It’s a success because we surpassed the record of the 2016 elections. In 2016 our voting turnout was 31.45%…now we can say that they were excited to vote because based on the report we received every day, the voting turnout of our compatriots abroad who went to embassies or sent their ballots was 32% to 33%...So, our voting is really very good and very successful.)

“Base sa report sa atin, siguro around 500,000 to 550,000 na ang nakaboto. Pero siyempre ito ay hindi pinal na numero kasi patuloy pa rin ang canvassing. Siyempre ang makakapagbigay lang ng final na numero ang Comelec at NBOC (National Board of Canvassers),” he added.

(Based on our report, maybe around 500,000 to 550,000 have already voted. But of course, this is not a final number because the canvasing is still ongoing. Of course, only the Comelec and NBOC can give the final number.)

OAV final results out this week

The DFA official said OAV results are expected to be finalized this week.

“Kasalukuyan silang nag-canvassing…may mga embahada na manual pa rin ang pagbibilang kasi ito ay mga maliit na population ng mga Pilipino doon,” Velasco explained.

(They are currently canvasing… there are embassies that still do manual counting because there are only small number of Filipinos there.)

“So, mayroon uuwi dito para dalhin 'yung mga COCs at personal na inihabilin sa NBOC. Pero mayroon din naman automated transmission na ang pagpapadala ng election results nila. So, inaasahan natin within this week matapos tayo,” he added.

(So, someone will come home here to bring the COCs and they will be personally handing it over to the NBOC. But for some, the election results will be automated transmission. So, we hope to finish within this week.)

According to Velasco, the highest voter turnouts were in Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Kuwait, San Francisco, Tokyo, Doha, and Jeddah.

“Out of top 10, mas marami ang nasa Middle East ang voting turnout – 6 out of the top 10. Tapos tatlo sa Asia Pacific, then isa sa Americas,” he said.

(Out of the top 10, the Middle East had the highest voting turnout – 6 out of the top 10. Then three in Asia Pacific, and one in the Americas.)

For this year’s elections, there were 1.6 million registered voters overseas. Voting started on April 10 and ended on May 9, using both automated and manual voting systems.

Few problems encountered

Also, Velasco noted that there were some problems encountered in the voting counting machines, but a technical team from the Commissions on Election was on standby to fix these.

“May mga konting problema sa VCM pero may mga standby na technical team ang Comelec so, kapag may problema, nag-troubleshoot. Karamihan naman ng mga problema ay nasolusyonan,” he said.

(There were a few problems with VCM but the Comelec has standby technical teams. So, when there was a problem, they were able to troubleshoot. Most of the problems have been addressed.)

Asked if there would be a special election in Shanghai, China, Velasco said it is up to the Comelec to decide.

“Nasa kamay na ng Comelec kung kailan, sila magsasabi ng date...I think kailangan din nila tignan kung 'yung number ng registered voters sa Shanghai would still be enough to make a difference dun sa mga kandidatong involved,” he said.

(It is up to the Comelec when, they would set the date…I think they also need to see if the number of registered voters in Shanghai would still be enough to make a difference to the candidates involved.)

Earlier, the Comelec postponed the start of overseas voting in Shanghai due to the COVID-19 surge.

Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo earlier said there were around 1,600 Filipino voters in the city.—AOL, GMA News