At the closing of the 30-day Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), PH Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana announced that a higher turnout has been registered in this year’s elections. The OAV in UAE ran from 10 April to 09 May 2022.
Globally, Dubai and Abu Dhabi consistently rank the highest and third highest, respectively, of the 1.69 million registered overseas Filipino voters.
The OAV started in 2003 after the enactment of the law known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act,” which allows overseas voters to elect in-absentia national candidates running for President, Vice President, and Senators, as well as qualified parties under the Party List system, every six (6) years. The OAV Act also allowed voters to elect Senators and Party List representatives during midyear elections every three (3) years.
Filipinos in UAE have actively participated in this exercise, consistently having the highest voter turnout from among all overseas voters.
“I extend my appreciation to the UAE for the assistance extended to the Philippine missions in UAE which served as the polling places for the in-person casting of votes,” said Ambassador Quintana.
The Ambassador likewise thanked the Filipino voting public for their cooperation in ensuring a safe, orderly, and peaceful elections.
Canvassing of the election returns is currently underway at the Embassy of the Philippines in Abu Dhabi which will generate the final results of the votes that were cast in UAE.
