Comelec reports low overseas voting turnout at 18.12%

MANILA – Only 18 percent of the more than 1.2 million overseas Filipino voters have used internet voting in the May 12 midterm elections.

Based on figures provided by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, a total of 221,284 or 18.12 percent Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) users were recorded out of the 1,220,942 who registered.

The poll body utilized the overseas voting to encourage Filipinos working and living abroad to participate in the elections.

On the other hand, the Comelec said only 6,727 or 32.43 percent of the 20,768 who registered to vote using the automated counting machines (ACMs) supplied by South Korean firm Miru Systems actually voted.

There are 1,241,690 registered overseas voters, according to the Comelec.

For the May 12 midterm elections, Filipinos abroad voted for national positions — 12 senators and one party-list group — only. (PNA)