RIYADH: The Philippine Embassy has extended the polling time for the country’s presidential election till 9 p.m., according to the embassy website. The voting will continue up till Monday evening.
Both Filipino voters and the PH officials have called on their compatriots to exercise their right to choose their next president while requesting their embassy to extend the duration of voting.
As of Friday the number of the votes cast in the major cities in the Kingdom rose to 44,788, with 20,118 votes in Riyadh; 16,170 in Jeddah; and 8,500 in the Eastern Province.
“During the last three days of election, we are inviting all registered voters in Saudi Arabia to spare some time to cast their vote at the embassy. As such, we have given more time for you as so the number of votes cast would increase” said Ambassador Ezzedin Tago.
“Three days are left for the national election, and it’s normal to give a chance for change of every man and woman who wants to see a change from the present tyranny of the corrupt, unjust and opportunist society,” said a prominent Filipino professor Amrollah Diambangan.
He said: “Each and every one of us, especially for those who will vote, determines the progress and success of our country. On other hand, it can also be a continuous suffering of the impoverished society, that results in melancholy of our children for generations to come.
Our choice of a leader, he said, is a responsibility but also accountability, for we will be held responsible for those leaders we have chosen. Undeniably, the people we vote whatever they do for their services, contributions and actions whether the effect might be bad or good, we at least contributed to their deeds, simply because we have given them a chance to lead and govern us.
“We should vote wisely and sincerely, regardless of our affiliations; we must choose those who have the qualities of being true and selfless leaders and who have dedication to serve the country,” he said.
