The deployment of vote-counting machines (VCMs) and the ballots in New York has been delayed, prompting the Philippine Consulate General in the US state to announce the postponement of the scheduled final testing and sealing of the VCMs to a later date.
In a Facebook post, the Philippine Consulate General assured the public that the ballots are “on their way!”
The date for the testing and sealing of the VCMs will be announced by the Consulate “once the materials are received.”
Filipinos overseas can participate in the 2022 national elections. Unlike voters in the Philippines, they are give one-month period to vote. Casting of ballots will start April 10, local time.
It is not known if there are other posts which experience delay in VCMs and ballot deployment.
“Our voters overseas do have 1 month to vote compared to the one day of voting here, so they have opportunities to choose when to vote. We appreciate their enthusiasm and vigilance, and hope that this will result in higher voter turnout percentages for overseas voting,” DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez said.
Other Philippine embassies and consulates have started doing final testing and sealing of the VCMs.
In Hong Kong, Israel, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, OFWs posted video of final testing and sealing of the VCMs.
There are 1.7 million registered Filipino voters for 2022 national elections, which is half million less than the registered voters in the midterm 2019 elections.
Embassies and consulates will be open even on Saturdays and Sundays until May 9. Some countries, OFWs can vote by mail-in. There will also be field voting in selected posts, but most posts require that in-person voting at the nearest embassies or consulates.