INCREASING AWARENESS. Lawyer Mabel Balanquit, of the Office for Overseas Voting at the Commission on Elections Central Office, discusses how the Philippine Open Government Partnership campaign platform has helped boost the number of overseas voter registrations for next year’s midterm elections during an interview at the Philippine Open Government Partnership event in Butuan City on Friday (Aug. 30, 2024). Registered overseas voters have increased from 1,069,000 to over 1.2 million as of August. (Photo courtesy of PIA-13)
BUTUAN CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is seeking support from civil society organizations (CSOs) and the media to boost awareness among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and other Filipinos living abroad about registering for next year’s midterm elections.
Lawyer Mabel Balanquit of the Office for Overseas Voting at the Comelec Central Office emphasized the importance of collaboration during the opening of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) in Butuan City on Friday.
“Effective advocacy through the PH-OGP platform, with support from CSOs and the media, is crucial in raising awareness among OFWs to register as overseas voters before they depart for the countries where they will work,” Balanquit told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.
Comelec was among the government agencies featured during the PH-OGP launch, where Balanquit highlighted how open government strategies and citizen participation are aiding the poll body’s efforts.
“Once OFWs reach their destinations abroad, they often encounter barriers that prevent them from registering as overseas voters,” Balanquit said, citing the distance from embassies, lack of awareness and work constraints.
“We began a campaign, with CSO and media support, urging OFWs to register before leaving the country,” she added.
Balanquit reported that the number of registered overseas voters increased to over 1.2 million as of August, up from 1,069,000, largely due to extensive campaigns, particularly in the National Capital Region.
She expressed optimism that with continued support from stakeholders through the PH-OGP platform, the number of registered voters will rise further.
The PH-OGP is an international movement for openness established in 2011.
The Philippines is one of the eight founding governments, together with Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.
It is a global effort to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. (PNA)
