ROME, 10 April 2022 – Enthusiastic Filipino overseas voters in Rome thronged to the Philippine Embassy for the first day of the overseas voting period for the 2022 National Elections today to pick up their mailing packets. 

The Embassy opened at 8:00 AM, Italy time, 10 April 2022 to  allow for the casting of votes by registered overseas voters within its jurisdiction, marking the first day of the overseas voting period for the 2022 National Elections, which runs from 10 April 2022 to 09 May 2022, a period of 30 days.

The Special Ballot Custody and Reception Group (SBRCG) of the Philippine Embassy in Rome released the mailing packets containing ballots to voters who expressed their preference to personally pick these up at the Embassy. The SBRCG also received sealed accomplished ballots of the overseas voters who cast their votes on the same day. A courtesy lane was opened for PWDs, heavily pregnant women, and senior citizens.

In accordance with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Minute Resolution No. 21-1356 dated 01 December 2021, the mode of voting to be adopted in areas within the consular jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Rome (Southern and Central Italy, Malta, and Albania) is Postal Voting-Automated Election System (AES).

Based on the certified list of voters from the COMELEC, there are 21,978 overseas voters registered under the Embassy’s jurisdiction. 

The Embassy encourages all registered overseas voters to strengthen the country’s democracy by exercising their right to suffrage.

 END