Manila: All 93 Philippine posts abroad have opened at the beginning of the 30-day voting period for registered overseas Filipinos, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia stated that Philippine Embassies (PEs) and Philippine Consulates General (PCG) have begun accepting voters who will be using the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) or automated counting machine (ACMs).

The poll body chief added that all 77 areas utilizing the OVCS commenced the voting period on Sunday. “All 77 Posts have successfully opened for Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS), with Honolulu PCG being the last one at around 2 a.m. Philippine Standard Time (8:00 a.m. in Honolulu),” Garcia said in a statement.

On the other hand, the 16 posts also started casting votes using the ACMs. “Earlier today, all 16 ACM Posts have also successfully conducted open voting procedures,” Garcia added.

The Posts that will be using the automated mode of voting are in various locations including Beijing PE, China; Chongqing PCG, Guangzou PCG, Shanghai PCG, Xiamen PCG, China; Dili (PE), Timor-Leste; Port Moresby (PE), Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands; Yangon PE, Myanmar. Additionally, voting is underway at Akara PE, Istanbul PCG; Moscow PE; Abuja PE; Beirut PE; Damascus PE; Tehran PE and Tripoli PE.

The overseas voting period started on Sunday and will run until May 12, 7 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time). Filipino voters overseas will be voting for national candidates only, 12 senators and one party-list group. According to Comelec data, there are 1.321 million Filipino voters abroad.