Comelec targets 30% overseas voter turnout for May polls

The Comelec head office at the Palace del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is hoping to have at least 30 percent turnout in the overseas absentee voting for the midterm polls.

Since the start of the overseas voting last Saturday, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said voter turnout had been low.

Despite this, he said the commission was still hoping to breach the 30 percentage mark.

“Midterm elections ito so medyo tini-temper natin yung expectations natin. Pangkaraniwan kapag midterm elections, lalo’t overseas voting, mababa ang turnout,” Jimenez said in an interview with dzMM.

“Pero sana umabot tayo nang at least 30 percent katulad ng nakita natin back in 2016,” he added.

According to Comelec data, voter turnout for the presidential elections in 2016 was at 31 percent.

Elaiza Sabile-David, director in charge for the overseas voting, earlier said turnouts during midterm elections had always been low.

“Mas interested bumoto ang tao kapag presidential (ang eleksyon),” David said. /cbb

READ: Comelec targets more than 16% overseas voter turnout