The government has earmarked P40 million for the conduct of automated elections in Hong Kong and Singapore posts following the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Special and Ocean Concerns Rafael E. Seguis, also the chairman of the DFA-Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS), and Comelec Commissioner Armando C. Velasco, chairman of the poll body’s committee in overseas absentee voting, signed the MoA, which would benefit a total of 128,272 registered voters.

Seguis said the strategic location of Hong Kong and Singapore would make it easier for them to conduct automated polls in these areas.

“The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong and the Philippine Embassy in Singapore were chosen because they are nearest to the Philippines, among other foreign service posts that obtained the highest number of registrants. It will be easier and will cost less to send technical people to Hong Kong and Singapore, than to Los Angeles or Dubai,” he said in a statement.

“We expect speedy, transparent, and accurate count of votes in these posts,” he added. (Charissa Luci)