Filipino expatriates who have registered as overseas absentee voters (OAV) have cast their votes in the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as the 2019 National and Local Elections kicked off on April 13, Saturday.
It has been recorded that there were 325,000 OAVs from the Western Region of Saudi who were expected to drive a high voter turnout.
They are part of the 1.8 million registered overseas workers across the globe who will elect 12 senators and one party-list member.
Consul General Edgar B. Badajos, Philippine Consul General in Jeddah, told Saudi Gazette that the turnout during the first day is impressive and satisfactory.
He has also emphasized the COMELEC’s theme for this year’s election: “Let’s All Vote! Let’s Strengthen our Democracy. It’s Our Right and Duty.”
Overseas absentee voting will be held on April 13 until May 13, 8 am to 5 pm, (except on the last day where voting is from 8 am to 1 pm) in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
Registered voters are reminded to bring their valid passports, residence IDs (Iqama) or any valid Philippine government-issued ID like driver’s license, PRC ID, and UMID issued by SSS or GSIS in order to cast their votes.
To check the names of registered voters, Filipinos can visit jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph or riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph
