00:00The damaged state of telecommunications and infrastructure in Myanmar has ruled out any chances of online voting for Filipinos in the May 12 midterm elections.
00:10Not a problem. The old and outdated method of correspondence by postal is very much alive and intact in Southeast Asia's poorest country.
00:18Our Luisa Erispe has more on the option of snail mail voting available to Myanmar-based Filipinos for the May 12 midterm polls.
00:27The Commission on Elections has decided to push through with the postal or snail mail voting in Myanmar for registered voters abroad instead of internet voting.
00:37This is due to the effects of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has struck the country over the weekend.
00:44In Myanmar, it is already clear that we will still send mail to our fellow Filipinos.
00:51There are more than 300 of them, 320 if I'm not mistaken.
00:55And therefore, we will not do internet voting but postal voting.
01:00Overall, there are 370 Filipinos in Myanmar according to the Comelec which says it is ready to distribute ballots to Filipinos based there.
01:10And on Friday, the Comelec is all set to deploy automated counting machines even to remote areas.
01:16It is in a diplomatic pouch so that our ballots are secure and protected.
01:22The machines will start deployment this April 4.
01:26In Thailand, where there are 8,203 Filipino voters, the Comelec will still stick to internet voting.
01:34Even though sometimes they say that they still experience aftershocks in that area,
01:40but at the same time, we will still stick to the proper way of voting for our fellow Filipinos.
01:47The Comelec continuously reminds Filipinos abroad to enroll for internet voting.
01:52As of now, there are over 17,000 who've enrolled but the poll body aims for higher figures.
01:58Let's enroll. All the links are there where you can enroll.
02:02The start of overseas voting will be on April 13 up to May 12.
02:06Still, the Comelec will keep accepting enrollment applications for online voting until May 7.
02:12Luisa Erispe from the National TV for a new and better Philippines.
