Filipinos living in Doha are preparing to vote in the country with only a few weeks till the Philippine national elections. From April 10 through May 9, 2022, overseas absentee voting (OAV) will be conducted. Having said that, Filipinos living in Qatar can vote in the upcoming elections in a timely and safe manner by authenticating their identities against the list of certified overseas voters at the Philippine Embassy.
Given this, it is critical that registered Filipinos living abroad understand the procedures and requirements for voting in their respective countries during the next elections.
Keep in mind, however, that this may vary from one place to the next, so make sure you adhere to the appropriate regulations for each. Before starting with the overseas voting procedure, overseas voters in Qatar can double-check their information on the Philippine Embassy’s website.
To begin, you may use this guide to learn about the step-by-step procedure for a smooth and trouble-free overseas voting experience from Qatar.
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Voting Guidelines in Qatar for the 2022 Philippine Elections
Filipinos in Qatar may now vote fast and safely. Following the validation of their name on the country’s list of certified overseas voters (CLOV), the next step is to schedule a visit to the Philippine foreign post for the overseas voting procedure, which will take place over the course of a month – from April 10 to May 9.
Of course, no one appreciates waiting in line or having their plans disrupted on any given day. However, it is preferable for overseas Filipino employees and Qatar residents to prepare their schedules for the overseas voting session. Here’s how to get started.
Step by Step Procedure of Voting as a Filipino in Doha, Qatar
Please follow the guidelines below on how you can cast your vote in Doha, Qatar this month:
Step 1 – Check if your name is on the list of registered voters in Qatar here.
The Philippine Embassy in Qatar has released the list of certified overseas voters (CLOV) 120 days before the election. The list should include the names of registered voters. Those who do not comply will be denied the right to vote in the upcoming elections.
Step 2 – Vote wisely.
At this point, you should know who to vote for based on the candidates’ professional and political backgrounds, as well as their positions on issues such as employment, health care, foreign workers, and immigrants, to name a few.
Step 3 – Cast your ballot in the vote-counting machine or VCM (formerly known as the PCOS machine).
At this point, you should know who to vote for based on the candidates’ professional and political backgrounds, as well as their positions on issues such as employment, health, foreign workers, and immigrants, to name a few.
Step 4 – Get the indelible ink marked on your index finger.
This will act as documentation that you voted in the earlier voting session before leaving the Embassy. That’s all! You are now free to leave the poll and go home, work, enjoy the day with your friends, or relax privately.
Overseas Filipino Voting Schedule in Qatar
The voting period for the overseas elections is from 8 a.m. local time to 7 p.m. Philippine time from April 10, 2022, to May 9, 2022.
Walk-ins are welcome at the Embassy during this period. However, you must validate your information on-site to ensure that you are eligible to vote in the ongoing overseas absentee voting.
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The Filipino Community in the State of Qatar is informed that the period of voting overseas for 2022 National and Local Elections will be from 10 April 2022 to 9 May 2022 or for 30 consecutive days pursuant to COMELEC Resolutions 10750, 10751, 10752, and 10753 of 2022.
The Embassy will serve as the polling place for registered Filipino voters in Qatar and will be open from 7am to 4pm during the voting period. The Embassy will also be open on Fridays and Saturdays, but only for purposes of voting.
Registered voters are advised to bring any of the below identidication documents to be allowed to vote at the Embassy:
- Copy of valid Philippine Passport; or
- Copy of Residence Visa (otherwise known as Qatar ID -QID)
Other related advisories will be announced by the Embassy in the coming days.
Video: HALINA’T BUMOTO!
The DFA has released a video about the upcoming national elections. More information on the overseas voting procedure may be found here.
To exercise their right and obligation as Filipino citizens, every OFW and Filipino immigrant in Qatar must vote overseas.
No matter where they are in the globe, all Filipinos must educate themselves on what to do and expect on election day.
Overseas Filipinos have till the end of the month to vote. This should provide ample time for people to consider and investigate who they should vote for as the country’s future leader. Once they’ve made their decision, personnel from the Philippine Embassy in Qatar will assist them in voting accurately and consistently.
Overseas Filipinos have an entire month to vote. This should give people plenty of time to think about and research who they should vote for as the country’s next leader. Once they’ve decided, staff from the Philippine Embassy in Qatar will help them in voting correctly and consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to be able to vote in the 2022 National Elections?
During the election season, Filipino citizens are required to bring their original passports or seafarer’s books to the polls. Residents having dual citizenship must additionally show their ID card or authorization papers to vote.
How do I know if I am a registered voter in Qatar?
The list of Filipino voters in Qatar, as well as Filipino seafarers, may be found on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) website or at the Philippine Embassy in Qatar. In the 2022 elections, only registered Filipino voters will be eligible to vote.
How does COMELEC decide on which voter records to deactivate?
The Commission on Elections deactivated the records of voters who did not vote in at least two elections (COMELEC).
When can applicants collect their Voter’s ID?
Due to the implementation of Republic Act 11055, or the National ID System, the Commission on Elections has halted the distribution and production of voter identification cards across the country.
The Philippine Statistics Authority is actively putting the National ID system in place in the country. It is scheduled to be implemented in all foreign service jobs by 2022.
Where can I find important information and updates on overseas voting?
Filipinos in Qatar are encouraged to follow the Philippine Embassy’s various social media sites to stay up to speed on election developments.
Filipinos in Qatar are advised to remain up to date on election news by following the Philippine Embassy’s various social media accounts.
Summary
The Philippine Embassy in Qatar attempts to make the overseas voting process as simple and convenient as possible for all Filipinos living in the country. As a result, they advise Filipinos living in the country to double-check the list of overseas voters (CLOV) before going to the Embassy to vote on April 10.
Contact Information
Embassy of the Philippines in Doha
ADDRESS: St. No. 860, Zone 68 Jelaiah Area Doha, Qatar
POSTAL PO Box 24900
PHONE LOCAL: 4483.1585
INTERNATIONAL: +974.4483.1585
FAX LOCAL: 4483.1595
INTERNATIONAL: +974.4483.1595
EMAIL pe.doha@dfa.gov.ph
WEB SITE: http://www.philembassy-qatar.org/
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