The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reminded overseas Filipinos on Monday that they have until May 7 to enroll their devices for internet voting, part of the agency’s push to modernize and make voting more accessible to Filipinos abroad.
Registered overseas voters who wish to use the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) can register their devices—laptops, smartphones, or tablets—by visiting ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll, said COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia in an interview.
“Enrollment is until May 7 to be able to participate in the internet voting, using their laptop, cellphones, iPads,” Garcia said.
So far, over 55,000 overseas Filipinos have signed up to avail of the online voting method. While Garcia confirmed the growing number of participants, he emphasized that the commission is legally prohibited from revealing how many have already cast their votes.
“We are not allowed to reveal the names or numbers of those who have voted. We are prohibited under Section 240 of the Omnibus Election Code, which was adopted in the Overseas Voting Law,” he noted.
Internet voting is available 24/7, allowing voters to log in using their assigned credentials and cast their ballots at their convenience, Garcia added.
In addition to OVCS, overseas voting is also being conducted in 16 Philippine posts using automated counting machines. Voting hours in these embassies and consulates are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
This year, a total of 1.321 million registered Filipino voters abroad are eligible to participate. Overseas voters will elect 12 senators and one party-list group during the month-long voting period.
The overseas voting period began on April 13 and will run until May 13.
