Over 29,000 voter IDs available at PH consulate HK

HONG KONG – More than 29,000 voter’s ID cards of Hong Kong-based Filipinos who registered between 2009 and 2012 are now being issued by the Philippine consulate. 

Owners of the just-arrived election IDs, as well as those issued before 2009, can claim the cards at designated counters in the consulate public area.

A shipment of 29,296 IDs from the Commission on Elections in Manila were delivered to the Consulate in the third week of July. 

The IDs will be released in the consulate’s public hall from 9 am to 4 pm from Sunday to Thursday. 

On top of the new IDs, there are around 3,000 more that remain unclaimed from previous registrations.

Consul-General Bernardita Catalla announced the arrival of the IDs at the end of a 3-and-a-half-hour meeting with community leaders on July 27. 

Community leaders were also given an update on the progress of the overseas voter registration. 

“As of 26 July 2015, 15,875 new voters representing 79.38% of the 20,000 target had been registered,” said Vice Consul Alex Vallespin. He added that the number of overseas voters in May 2016 is projected to reach 105,000 and voter turnout is estimated at 49%, or 51,152. 

Vallespin asked the community leaders to recommend people to fill about 20 posts for the special board of election inspectors (SBEIs). 

Qjuestions about the legality of the hiring process prompted the consulate to announce that it would seek legal advice on the matter. – Rappler.com