22 April 2016 – Whatever your status in life, you are encouraged to exercise your right to vote. Such is the message conveyed by the Philippine Embassy in Doha to all Filipinos who are registered overseas voters in Qatar.
On the 12th day of the month-long overseas voting in Qatar, newlywed couple Ronaldo G. Flores and Annmarie M. Reyes immediately cast their vote right after getting married at the Embassy, which was solemnized by Deputy Head of Mission Gonaranao B. Musor on April 20.
Thirty-four-year old Flores works as a Maintenance Supervisor in Doha, while 33-year old Reyes is a Cashier.
On the same day, the most senior registered voter thus far in Qatar cast her vote. Sixty-eight-year-old Clarita Aniceto Salvacion, the dependent mother of the Embassy’s Collecting Officer and Attaché and SBEI Chair for Precinct 2, Clarafel S. Bueno.
The Embassy has already exceeded its 2,800 voter turnout in the previous senatorial election in 2013. As of 20 April 2016, 6,326 votes have been cast, which represents 14.11% of the total number of registered voters in Qatar.
“We are hoping to at least achieve 35-40% voter turnout. And so I highly encourage our kababayans to come to the Embassy and exercise their right and privilege to vote as we will be open even during weekends and holidays to accommodate their busy schedules,” Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo C. Santos said. END