Philippine Elections 2022: Filipino in Qatar begin casting votes in Philippine Embassy Doha

Philippine Elections 2022 in Qatar

The voting period for this year’s Philippine national elections officially started in Qatar on April 10th, with a total of 566 registered voters, including one seafarer, who cast their ballots during the 8-hour voting period on Day 1.

The Philippine Embassy in Qatar kicked off the 30-day overseas voting period for the 2022 National and Local Elections.

Filipino voters swamped the polling station at the embassy on Sunday, the first day of the month-long overseas absentee voting for the 2022 Philippine presidential elections. 

According to the embassy's official Facebook page, overseas registered voters were ushered to the three (3) polling precincts of the Embassy, which will cater to more than 40,000 registered voters in Qatar.

Duly accredited poll watchers from concerned political parties were in attendance at the opening of Voting Counting Machines (VCMs), during the voting hours, and at the closing of the VCMs, the embassy added.

The Embassy voting hours were extended to 5 p.m. because of a one-hour delay in the morning owing to VCM procedural requirements that had to be undertaken by duly constituted Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEIs) of the Embassy in the presence of the poll watchers.

What is the Overseas Filipino Voting Schedule in Qatar?

During the 30-day period for overseas voting, the Embassy will be open from Sundays to Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. for purposes of voting. The overseas absentee voting runs from April 10 until the election day on May 9. Filipinos living in the Philippines can only vote on the election day itself.

What Do I Need to Bring?

Registered voters are advised to bring any of the below identification documents to be allowed to vote at the Embassy:

• Copy of valid Philippine passport; or
• Copy of valid Residence Visa (Qatar ID or QID)

How to Vote in Qatar for Philippine Elections 2022?

Step 1: Check if your name is on the list of registered voters in Qatar.

Filipinos living in Qatar can vote quickly and safely in this year's elections by checking their names against the Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV) via these links:

2022 CERTIFIED LIST OF OVERSEAS VOTERS (LANDBASED)

2022 CERTIFIED LIST OF OVERSEAS VOTERS (SEAFARER)

Step 2: Vote wisely.

Step 3: Cast your ballot in the vote-counting machine or VCM (formerly known as PCOS machine). This will enable a more expedient examination and recording of the votes. Make sure that you have darkened all relevant sections of the ballot so that you do not miss any names for whom you intend to vote.

Step 4: Get the indelible ink marked on your index finger.

When you leave your respective poll presinct, this will serve as proof that you have already completed your vote.

Source: Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Doha, Qatar