In line with the Philippine Government’s thrust towards ensuring equal opportunity to all qualified citizens of the Philippines abroad in the exercise of their constitutional right of suffrage, the Philippine Embassy encourages qualified Filipinos to register as overseas absentee voters.

Registration for overseas absentee voting is ongoing at the Philippine Embassy until 31 August 2006.

10. How will you know if your application has been approved or disapproved?

If your application has been approved:

a. You or your authorized representative will receive a Certificate of Registration and your name shall be included in the City/Municipal/District Registry of Absentee Voters and in the National Registry of Absentee Voters; and

b. Your name shall be posted on the day following the approval of your application in a conspicuous place in the premises of the city or municipal and barangay building of your residence as stated in your application form.

If your application has been disapproved:

a. You or your authorized representative will receive a Notice of Disapproval stating the reason(s) for the disapproval; and

b. Your name shall be posted on the day following the disapproval of your application in a conspicuous place in the premises of the city or municipal and barangay building of your residence as stated in your application form.

11. How will you know if your application to vote in absentia has been approved or disapproved?

If your application to vote in absentia has been approved, you or your authorized representative shall receive a copy of your approved Voter Registration Record, which shall be in the form of an Overseas Absentee Voter Identification Card.

If your application has been disapproved, you or your authorized representative will receive a Notice of Disapproval stating the reason(s) for the disapproval.

12. What steps may you take in case your application to vote in absentia is disapproved?

You may file a motion for reconsideration with the Committee on Absentee Voting at the Central Office of the Commission on Elections, Intramuros, Manila, within ten (10) days from receipt of the notice of disapproval.

13. How are votes cast?

Canada is one of three countries where the Comelec has authorized voting by mail.

14. How will ballots be sent to you in case you reside in a country where voting by mail is allowed?

The embassy, consulate or foreign service establishment concerned shall send to you the ballot inside a special envelope. In addition to the ballot, the special envelope shall contain one inner and one outer envelope, voting instructions, paper seals and certified list of candidates.

15. How will you cast your vote if you reside in a country where voting by mail is allowed?

Upon receipt of the special envelope, you shall:

a. Accomplish the ballot;

b. Affix your right thumb mark on the ballot coupon;

c. Detach the coupon from the ballot;

d. Place the detached coupon inside the envelope marked "Outer Envelope";

e. Place the accomplished ballot inside the envelope marked "Inner Envelope";

f. Seal the inner envelope with paper seal provided for the purpose;

g. Place the sealed inner envelope containing the ballot inside the outer envelope containing the ballot coupon in such a manner that the ballot shall not be folded or crumpled;

h. Seal the outer envelope with paper seal provided for the purpose;

i. Affix your signature in the proper space provided in the outer envelope; and

j. Mail the sealed envelope to the embassy, consulate or foreign service establishment that sent you the ballot.

16. What will happen if your ballot is not contained in the special envelope or the envelope is not received before the close of voting on the day of elections?

The ballot will not be included in the counting of votes.

17. What is the importance of affixing your signature in the outer envelope?

Before counting, your signature in the outer envelope shall be compared with that appearing in your approved voter registration record. If the signatures are identical, the envelope shall be opened and the ballot shall be counted. Otherwise, the envelope shall not be opened and the ballot contained therein shall not be counted.

18. Who can vote?

Only those whose names are included in the Certified List of Overseas Absentee Voters can cast their votes.

A voter whose name does not appear in the Certified List of Overseas Absentee Voters shall not be allowed to vote.

19. Can you be challenged from voting?

Yes. You may be challenged on the basis of:

a. Being an illegal voter; or

b. Your having committed illegal acts.

20. What are the grounds to challenge a voter for being an illegal voter?

Any voter or watcher may challenge a voter for:

a. Not being registered as an overseas absentee voter;

b. Using the name of another; or

c. Suffering from existing disqualification.

21. What will happen if you spoil your ballot or render it in such a way that it can no longer be legally used?

You shall not be issued another ballot and you are required to surrender the ballot to the Chairman.

22. Where will the counting of votes take place?

The counting of votes shall be conducted on site in the country where the votes were actually cast and within the premises of the embassies, consulates and other foreign service establishments or in such other places as may be designated by the Commission.

23. How shall ballots be counted?

Ballots shall be counted publicly and uninterrupted in the counting centers designated by the Commission. Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, the SBEI shall not adjourn or postpone or delay the counting until it has been fully completed.

24. Will the results of the election be announced?

After the printing of election returns, the Chairman shall orally and publicly announce the total number of votes received by each candidate stating their corresponding offices, as well as the total number of votes received by a party, sectoral organization or coalition participating under the party-list system of representation.