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19 April 2016 – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh concluded its first week of the 30-day elections for overseas voters at the Embassy and the International Philippine School in Al Khobar (IPSA). As voter turnout was lower than expected, the Embassy is urging all registered voters in Saudi Arabia to cast their votes early and not wait until May 09.

The first week of the 30-day election for overseas voters concluded in two locations under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Overseas voting began on April 09 at the Embassy grounds for registered voters in Riyadh, Central and Northern Provinces and at the International Philippine School in Al Khobar (IPSA) for registered voters in the Eastern Province.

Voter turnout at both polling venues on the first week of overseas voting remained modest with less than 7% of voters having cast their votes so far in Riyadh. Turnout of registered voters at IPSA in Al Khobar was over 9% of the Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV) of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Al Khobar.

There are 113,895 registered voters in the CLOV of the Embassy, while there are 33,926 registered voters in the CLOV of the POLO in Al Khobar.

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Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin H. Tago reiterated his call for all registered overseas voters in Saudi Arabia to cast their votes early and avoid the usual huge crowds on the last day of elections. “I urge all kababayans to cast your votes now. Huwag na po nating hintayin ang May 09 para bumoto,” said Ambassador Tago.

On the voter turnout on the first week of overseas voting, Ambassador Tago remained hopeful that the numbers will increase. “The Embassy made the necessary preparations to accommodate more voters per day than the actual turnout. I remain hopeful that thousands more Filipinos in Saudi Arabia will turn out to vote in the coming days,” concluded Ambassador Tago.

For more information on overseas voting in Riyadh, visit the link below:

http://riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph/newsroom/press-releases/125-overseas-voting/2536-pr-063-2016 END