27 April 2016 – In its effort to encourage more Filipinos in Qatar to exercise their right of suffrage, the Philippine Embassy in Doha has come up with a creative way to drum up interest that was described by local English news daily, Qatar Tribune, as a “‘breath of fresh air’ in (this) important happening among Filipinos worldwide.”

During the first weeks of the overseas voting, the Embassy recognized the early bird or first voter, Jose Palarca; the most senior voter in age thus far; Clarita Aniceto Salvacion; and a newlywed couple, Ronaldo G. Flores and Annmarie M. Reyes, in their commitment to exercise this important right of every Filipino.

This time, the Embassy recognized the youngest voter thus far, 18 year-old Kenneth Caezar B. Balderas who was born in October 1997, and the tallest voter at 6’8”, Mr. Francis Perez de Leon.

“These exemplary voters represent the diversity of the Filipino electorate in Qatar which goes to show that this electoral exercise aims to be as representative of the Philippine society as possible. Hence, it is very important for our kababayans not to waste this opportunity to vote and choose their leaders,” said Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo C. Santos. “Every vote counts!”

“With regard to the youngest voter so far documented by the Embassy, this should encourage the rest of the registered Filipino youth in Qatar to vote for the first time. Part of being a responsible adult is having a say in the future of our country,” Ambassador Santos added.

As of April 24, 8,571 votes have been cast so far at the Embassy. This represents 19.12% of registered voters in Qatar. The Embassy has more than tripled already the voter turnout during the 2013 senatorial elections and it is hoping to at least reach a 35% turnout or more than 15,000 voters by May 09. END