The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said some 80,000 Filipinos abroad have already enrolled for overseas voting for the upcoming midterm elections in May.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said they are hoping for a 50-percent turnout or 600,000 of the 1.241 million registered voters overseas. Some have cast their votes using automated counting machines in 16 posts.

“We can’t say the exact number but the results are interesting. Currently, more or less 80,000 are enrolled in our online voting,” Garcia said in a press briefing. “We hope our countrymen will vote… They still have 21 days left to vote,” the poll body chief added.

The overseas voting started April 13 and will run until 7 p.m. May 12 (Philippine time).

Garcia noted lower voter turnout during midterm elections than in presidential elections.

“That has been the trend every midterm elections. The turnout is usually low since they are not electing the President and Vice President,” said Garcia. (PNA)