Just four days to go before the overseas voting ends for the Philippine national elections, many Filipinos are frustrated that they have yet to receive their postal ballots from the Philippine Embassy in London. Voting will close at 12 noon, UK time on 9 May.
On the Philippine Embassy Facebook page, at least 100 people have been asking where their ballots are despite being registered voters. Others complained about not finding their names on the certified list of voters (CLOV).
Based on the voters’ list published on the embassy website, there are 29,189 voters in the UK, five in Northern Ireland, and 1,293 in the Republic of Ireland.
Overseas voting has been delayed in at least six embassies and consulates, including the consulate of Milan, Italy because of logistical issues.
Melvyn Lucinario wrote that as of 3 May, he and his son and have yet to receive their postal ballots although his other son has already received his ballot. It was not clear if they lived in the same address.
Another commenter said that she has received her ballot but that her husband is still waiting for his ballot to arrive.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) printed the ballots in the Philippines and then sent these to embassies across the world. Christille Gultiano shared the embassy’s reply to her query regarding her ballot. Apparently, her “ballot from the COMELEC did not arrive. The embassy may issue you with an extra blank ballot, if you are amenable to that.”
For those who have moved house like Mariechris de Leon, the issue is even more frustrating. In her post, de Leon wrote that she updated her home address via email on 8 December 2021 which was acknowledged by the embassy. But when she checked the list of registered voters, her name was not there. She sent two more emails, the last one on 20 April, but has yet to hear back from the embassy.
The author herself also moved house and updated her registration on 5 October 2021. After several follow up emails, she finally heard back from the COMELEC in February and was advised to contact the Philippine Embassy to update her address instead. Apparently, they could no longer update her record although they did not give any reason for this.
She then emailed the embassy and was informed on 24 March that the COMELEC had issued new guidelines for changing addresses requiring voters to submit the following: a copy of their valid passport, proof of address, and completed overseas voters’ form. Despite having submitted the requirements before the deadline and after two emails, she is still waiting to get her ballot.
Meanwhile, a few voters who have moved residences posted updates, saying they managed to get their ballots by visiting their previous accommodation where the ballots have been sent despite having informed the embassy of their new addresses.
Gita Luz, moderator of Team Leni UK, posted that those who are missing their ballots should “go to the Philippine Embassy ASAP to claim a replacement ballot.” She advised members to bring their passport as proof of identity as well as proof of address.
Apart from the disorganised voter registration and posting of ballots, people also criticised the slow processing of passport applications.
Voting linked with passport renewal chaos
The Commission on Elections requires a copy of one’s passport to register as a new voter or to update one’s address. However, the current passport renewal system has been bogged down by backlog caused by the pandemic.
Maria Morgan wrote that many people may not be able to vote because their passports have not been renewed. Several people commented that they have been trying to renew their passports since last year but could not get a slot.
Another wrote that despite the walk-in passport renewal services, embassy staff are only processing around 20 applications a day. Apparently, people have been queueing from as early as 2 in the morning to make sure they get served.
Tinig UK has approached the Philippine Embassy for comment but has yet to receive a reply from them.
There are at least 1.6 million overseas voters expected to participate in the 2022 elections.
