Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters at Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila. Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) temporarily halted voter registration for overseas Filipinos in Israel and Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following recent missile strikes in the region.
In a statement on Wednesday, the poll body said the suspension was prompted by security measures implemented by Israeli authorities that affected the operations of foreign diplomatic missions.
Comelec said consular services of foreign posts in Israel, including the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, were suspended for security reasons until March 7.
As a result, voter registration for overseas Filipinos in Israel was also temporarily stopped until the same date.
The Philippine Embassy in Tehran likewise advised that voter registration activities for Filipinos in Iran would remain suspended until further notice.
Despite the halt in the two countries, Comelec said overseas voter registration and consular services in other parts of the Middle East continued to operate.
Tensions in the region rose after missile strikes triggered wider hostilities, disrupting key oil routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a major passageway for global oil shipments.
The disruption raised concerns over fuel supply and contributed to rising oil prices, prompting governments and agencies worldwide to monitor developments closely.
