JEDDAH, 2 April 2004 — Namfrel, the Philippines’ renowned non-government election watchdog, has accredited the Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC) as its representative in the Western Region.
Raymond Astillas of Namfrel’s Overseas Absentee Voting Committee confirmed the accreditation in an e-mail to the OFWCC, which is based in Jeddah, according to council chairman Rudy Carillo.
Carillo said that as Namfrel’s partner, the OFWCC will be tasked to set up a recruitment and training program for
non-partisan, overseas Filipino volunteers for the first Philippine absentee voting exercise abroad.
OFWCC will also conduct a voter education campaign in the region, monitor the voting process in Jeddah, conduct its vote count based on official ballots, represent Namfrel in task forces or committees created by the Philippine Commission on Election in any forum or gathering wherein Namfrel’s representation is required.
Carillo said the council will also prepare a post-election report on the conduct of the absentee voting in Jeddah.
Namfrel had been allowed by the Comelec to conduct a separate vote count for the purpose of validating the official poll body’s own count.
Founded in the 1950s by religious and other civic groups, Namfrel stands for National Citizens Movement for Free Election.
Namfrel played a key role in the “snap” presidential election of Feb. 7, 1986, which eventually led to the toppling of President Ferdinand Marcos in a popular uprising.
Namfrel has also tapped other groups that are perceived to be non-partisan in Riyadh, Alkhobar and other places around the world where there is a big number of registered Filipino absentee voters.
Alan Exevea, OFWCC’s secretary-general, said the council’s partnership with Namfrel is an opportunity for OFWs to help ensure that the voting exercise in Jeddah would be a success.
