Addressing a gathering at the International Philippine School in Riyadh (IPSR) that was organized by Imarantaon International, Yusoph encouraged the United OFW Association to resubmit their party list for registration in the next election in 2013.
The bid of a Saudi-based overseas Filipino worker, Rudy Dianalan, was rejected by Comelec this year, citing financial capability as the main reason for the Comelec Resolution 8713 promulgated on Dec. 15, 2009.
The registration process will be the sole criteria for qualification or disqualification of any OFW group or party that wishes to take part in the Philippine general elections. However, terms and conditions will be resolved on a merit basis only.
Yusoph, who is leading an official delegation to the Kingdom, conducted training on the upcoming election mechanism, procedures and canvassing.
The three-day training was held at the Riyadh Palace Hotel and attended by members of the board of election committee (BEC), including Filipino teachers from Philippine schools in the Kingdom and Philippine Embassy staff.
The official disclosed that the total OFW votes will go for manual counting during the May elections, citing financial concern as the main reasons.
The official was quoted recently as saying that Comelec is ready to go back to manual counting, if poll automation systems fail. Yusoph said this, following delays in the delivery of the machines to be used in the May elections.
He said that the remittances of OFWs are a major factor for the Philippine economy to remain stable despite the financial global crisis. "This is the reason why the country is giving due importance to OFWs across the world," the visiting commissioner said.
United OFW Association (UOA) former president, Frank Naval, also expressed his group's strong support for Yusoph as a symbol of trust in Comelec. "We regain now the trust for Comelec after your appointment," Naval said.
On his part, Mohammad Ili Mua, the UOA national current president, said that his group supported Yusoph's appointment, citing his petition to the Philippine government for a Maranao representative. He said that his clean track record for honesty qualifies him for the post.
Yusoph, a lawyer and the only Muslim Comelec commissioner, was appointed last year to replace Romeo Brawner who passed away.
