An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged Filipino voters abroad to participate in the overseas voting for the 2022 polls.
"I call on our countrymen abroad. There are 1.6 million of you set to participate in overseas voting. Don't miss this chance to elect a leader for our future," Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said during the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday, April 4.
In the past, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez cited the low voter turnout as a perennial problem in overseas voting.
"One of the biggest problems in having low turnout is the difficulty of voting. People find it difficult to go to embassy or consulate becuase they don't live near the embassy or consulate," he said
The 2016 presidential elections saw a 31 percent voter turnout, while the 2019 midterm polls had an 18 percent voter turnout.
On Sunday, the Comelec already expressed readiness for the start of overseas voting for the 2022 polls on April 10.
"We are 100 percent prepared already. Everything is set. All the embassies or consulates are ready," Garcia said in an online forum.
The Comelec has set the overseas voting from April 10, 2022 to May 9, 2022.