WITH only a week left before the end of the month-long overseas voting period, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now looking at the possibility of holding special elections in the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai in China, where a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown has been imposed since last month.
In an interview, Comelec – Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) head Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said that they are not ruling out the possibility of holding special polls in Shanghai in a bid to allow Filipinos there to cast their votes.
“If the lockdown is lifted after the elections, we are justified to conduct a special elections to those areas where voting was suspended,” said Casquejo.
“May 9 is already near but the lockdown remains imposed,” he added.
He said they are prepared to make special accommodations for the 1,900 registered voters in the Philippine post if only to allow them all to vote.
“Maybe we can make some adjustments as to how many voting machines will be needed during the special elections, if it really becomes necessary,” said the poll official.
To recall, overseas voting has long been delayed in the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai, China due to the prevailing COVID-19 lockdown there.
Casquejo said a special election may be necessary, especially in close contests in the party-list elections.
“If the last remaining (party-list) seats will be affected given the number of registered voters there, we cannot proclaim yet. We will have to wait for the results (of the special elections),” said Casquejo.
In contrast, he said the votes from Shanghai may be immaterial when it comes to the presidential, vice presidential, and senatorial races.
“With 1,900 votes, I haven’t seen such a small lead. In party-lists, there are such instances,” said Casquejo.
Overseas voters only vote for president, vice president, senators, and party-list.
