The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai refuted on Monday, April 11, the claims of pre-shaded ballots allegedly given to a voter as overseas absentee voting (OAV) starts.
In a statement, the Consulate affirmed that “no such incident or anything remotely similar occurred or was reported.”
“As to the alleged anomaly regarding the conduct of the voting at the Consulate, particularly on the supposed discovery by one voter of [a] pre-shaded ballot, that [has] spread and currently circulating in social media, the Consulate firmly denies this,” the statement read.
“Poll watchers from at least five different political parties who were present during the entire voting period yesterday likewise witnessed or reported no irregularity,” it further read.
The Consulate assured the public that any irregularities are recorded in the official overseas voters with voting records (OVF).
“The Consulate likewise notes that each voter is advised by poll clerks and election officers about the proper procedure in voting, as prescribed by the Commission on Elections, and that they are entitled to raise any issue with the election board regarding any issue or irregularity that they may encounter.”
The Consulate also advised the public against posting unverified or unsubstantiated allegations online.
On Monday, the Philippine Embassy in Singapore said that a “spoiled” ballot “inadvertently and unintentionally” given to a voter was only an “isolated” case.
About 1.6 million overseas Filipino voters started casting their votes for the May 2022 elections on Sunday, April 10. – ag
