ANNOUNCEMENT

GUIDELINES FOR MASS MEDIA ACCREDITATION

IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONDUCT OF OVERSEAS VOTING

31 January 2016 – The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi wishes to announce that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has issued guidelines for mas media accreditation in connection with the conduct of overseas voting under Republic Act No. 9189 for purposes of the 2016 Philippine national elections.

Duly accredited mass media shall be given free access to polling places, voting centers, and canvassing centers in various Posts and authorized field voting centers for purposes of observing and reporting on election events and processes.

All parties requesting for accreditation shall submit a duly accomplished Accreditation Application Form , two recently taken 2”x2” colored photographs, and an endorsement from the newspaper, television, radio station, or internet news agency employing the applicant.

In the United Arab Emirates, applications for accreditation shall be personally filed at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai from 01 February 2016 to 31 March 2016.

Upon accreditation, media representatives shall be issued a Media Card duly signed by the Head of Post. The Media Card shall be worn prominently whenever the media representative is covering or observing a COMELEC or electoral event.

For more information, please see attached copy of COMELEC Resolution             No. 10037. Application forms for accreditation may also be downloaded from the COMELEC website (www.comelec.gov.ph) and the Department of Foreign Affairs website (www.dfa-oavs.gov.ph). END.