The 2016 Overseas Voting process in New Zealand drew to a close on 11 May 2016 after the Embassy’s Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC) canvassed the election returns from five (5) precincts representing New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga. 3,283 out of 9,470 registered voters actually voted, for a voter turnout of 34.67%. The SBOC immediately transmitted the Certificates of Canvass electronically to the National Board of Canvassers in Manila for consolidation.

The period of casting Overseas Voting ballots started on 9 April 2016 and ended on 9 May 2016 at 9:00 p.m. New Zealand time to coincide with the closing of the COMELEC voting precincts in the Philippines. The manual counting of ballots by the Embassy’s designated Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI) commenced promptly on 9 May 2016 at 9:00 p.m. New Zealand time in the presence of designated poll watchers, Philippine media representatives and Filipino Community members.

Ambassador Jesus S. Domingo welcomed the presence of official Migrante representatives, UNTV representatives and Filipino Community members who came to view the canvassing of votes. Watchers and community members alike expressed satisfaction that the Embassy’s information campaign to reach out to registered voters enabled the Embassy to reissue or resend ballots to voters who were unable to receive their electoral mails or ballots initially.

The results of the canvassing of election returns from New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga are now posted at the Philippine Embassy’s Consular Section for the convenience of the general public.