OFWs Cast Votes in Abuja Nigeria

OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING in Nigeria

Philippine Embassy

No. 2 Kainji Street, Corner Lake Chad Crescent

Maitama District, Abuja, Nigeria

The month-long OAV exercise started last month April 13, 2013. As the Philippine embassy opened its door for the voters at 8:00 in the morning, OFW Grace Abrazado cast the first vote followed by Edelito Sumiwan and Haznor Mangondaya.

...the first 3 voters: Haznor Mangondaya, Grace Abrazado and  Edelito Sumiwan

OAV Focal Person Nadjefah A. Mangondaya, Attache Trade and Economic/ Information Officer of the embassy in Abuja Nigeria, exerted efforts to reach the voters. She invited voters to come even on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

OAV Focal Person, Mrs. Nadjefah A. Mangondaya

Some hitches encountered:

·                  - Some previously registered voters’ names did not appear in the master list sent by  

          COMELEC (may have failed twice to vote in the national elections)  

·                  -Some registered voters’ ballots did not arrive

·                  - Some ballots arrived for absent seamen  

To make use of the ballots for absent seamen, Mrs. Mangondaya requested for guidelines from the  COMELEC Chairman for Committee on Overseas Voting Lucenito Tagle which issued COV Guideline No. 2013-06. It resulted with Circular MIS 133-2013 resolving the above issues:

     OAVoters can use the ballots (and vote personally) intended for absent   seafarers as long as there is a valid ID or passport for verification in the COMELEC’s certified list of voters.

Notwithstanding Mrs. Mangondaya’s aggressive and tireless campaign to exercise the right to vote, the mission registered from Nigeria and other countries of jurisdiction 1,321 voters and 903 who failed to vote twice, only 184 were actually able to cast their votes breakdown of which is as follows:

·        44 from Ghana

·        1   from Ivory coast

·        139 from Nigeria

Reason: most of the registered OFW voters are no longer in Nigeria and other countries of jurisdiction.

The 2013 National Elections ended on May 13, 2013 at 12:00 noon (Nigeria time).

Nigeria OAV result: 

The first three (3) leading senatorial candidates are: 

Escudero, Legarda and Cayetano, A.

The first three (3) leading Party List:

-         OFW Family Club

-         Alyansa ng OFW Party

-         Migrante

Mrs. Mangondaya had been praised by voters for her very satisfactory and accommodating countenance during the whole exercise. 

Pusong Pinoy Association President John Hernandez dropping his ballot at the designated ballot box.  Behind waiting for his turn is Nonito Barraquias