How can the Filipinos in Bahrain register to vote overseas during pandemic

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Despite the likelihood that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will still be around in many parts of the world next year, Filipinos in the Kingdom of Bahrain will still be able to cast their ballots in the 2022 Philippine national elections.

In fact, they can vote ahead of the larger population at home thru Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV).

Their 30-day voting period will run from April 10 to May 9, 2022.

Considered as contemporary national heroes, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are urged by the Philippine Embassy to register as voters in next year’s elections amid fears of prolonged pandemic.

All qualified Filipino citizens residing and working in the Kingdom who have not yet registered are advised to participate in their home country’s political affairs by beating the September 30, 2021 deadline to register.

They must personally appear at the embassy located in Mahooz for biometrics capturing, and bring along a photocopy of valid Philippine passport or copy of seaman’s book for seafarers.

To encourage Filipinos to register, the embassy is utilising its social media accounts by posting infomercials and posters to increase the awareness in Bahrain.

Those interested in the overseas voting registration should contact the embassy for details on how to proceed.

More details can also be found on the embassy’s official website: https://manamape.dfa.gov.ph/ In October last year, the embassy resumed the activity following a five-month suspension due to the onset of the pandemic.

Overseas registration started in December 2019.

The next Philippine general elections – set to take place on May 9, 2022 – will select the successor of current President Rodrigo Duterte.

Qualified Filipino voters residing and working abroad will choose the next president, vice-president, 12 senators and a party-list representative.

There are more than 60,000 Filipinos living and working in Bahrain.