Registration for Overseas Absentee Voters

From http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/index.cfm?GPID=246 

Philippine Ambassador Urges Filipinos in Singapore to Register for the 2010 Elections

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Minda C. Cruz is urging Filipinos based in Singapore to apply for registration as overseas absentee voters at the Philippine Embassy for the 2010 national elections.

‘I strongly encourage Filipinos who will be in Singapore during the voting period in 2010 to register as overseas absentee voters in order to exercise their right to vote for the next Philippine president, vice president, and 12 senators,’ the lady envoy stressed.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has announced that the system of continuing registration for overseas absentee voters (OAV) will commence on 1 February 2009, and will last for seven months, until 31 August 2009.  COMELEC has earlier set the start of OAV registration on December 1, 2008, but had to postpone it for two months to give time for the repair and delivery of registration equipment to Philippine embassies and consulates around the world.

Registration overseas will be conducted by Philippine embassies and consulates on behalf of COMELEC in accordance with the overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003.

Ambassador Cruz said that the Philippine Embassy expects a high turnout from Filipinos based in Singapore eager to exercise their right to vote in the May 2010 elections more so that these are for the top positions.

‘I challenge the Filipinos in Singapore to make their voices heard, give flesh to our democracy, participate in our electoral process and contribute further to nation-building,’ the Philippine envoy added.

Filipinos who are at least 18 years old or who will be 18 at the time of the elections may apply for registration if they intend to vote in Singapore, provided they are not disqualified by law.

According to COMELEC, those who are already included in the Certified List of Overseas Absentee Voters (CLOAV), but who failed to vote in the last two elections (2004 and 2007) will be removed from the list.  Those de-listed from the CLOAV will have to register again during the ongoing registration period.

Registration will be conducted at the Philippine Embassy at 20 Nassim Road, Sunday to Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (no noon break)

Requirements

1.   Personal appearance of the registration applicant.

2.   Applicant should present latest Philippine passport and employment pass (Work Permit/S-Pass/E-Pass).

3.   Filipino immigrants and permanent residents in Singapore are required to execute an affidavit declaring that he/she shall resume physical permanent residence in the Philippines not later than three (3) years from approval of his/her registration.  The affidavit, which is part of the registration application form, shall also state that he/she has not applied for citizenship in another country.

4.   Additional documents:  For seafarer’s, seaman’s book; for dual citizens, Oath of Allegiance or Order of Approval for Dual Citizens.

For further inquiries on the ongoing registration for overseas absentee voters, please call the Philippine Embassy at +65 6737-3977 extension 116, 101 or 124, or e-mail at php@pacific.net.sg.  Interested parties may also visit the COMELEC website at www.comelec.gov.ph or the Philippine Embassy website at www.philippine-embassy.org.sg for more information.