COMELEC: INTERNET VOTING FOR OVERSEAS FILIIPINO WORKERS

The Comelec has announce internet voting for Filipino overseas in the 2025 election (Photo courtesy of Luisa Cabato/Inquirer)

The Comelec and the winning bidder have signed an agreement for the internet voting to be used by the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). The Comelec hopes that more Filipinos will vote abroad in the 2025 elections due to easier internet voting.

For the first time, the Comelec-approved system for internet voting to be used by OFWs was publicized. The winning bidder, Joint Venture Global Technology Inc. and Sequent Tech Inc. (JV Global Technology). 

Sequent is not new when it comes to online voting, they have held polls in different countries and organizations such as Spain, Germany, and Canada. But this is said to be the first time they will hold national elections.

They ensure that voting through the internet will be secure. It is said to have security features such as two-factor authentication that is required before voting. Once the voter passes the two-factor authentication, they will go to the link that will take them to the online ballot to cast the vote.

From taking a photo online, encoding personal information, to taking a picture of the passport, these are just some of the easier registration processes for OFWs to participate in the 2025 midterm elections through online or internet voting.

According to Comelec’s data, there are more than 600,000 Filipinos who voted in different countries in the 2022 elections. More than 40% from the total of 1.69 million registered OFW voters. 

Right now, there are only 1.17 million registered overseas Filipinos from the beginning of registration last year. There will still be counting and canvassing in Philippine embassies and consulates abroad for the votes that come from internet voting. 

Comelec's target is for the number of Filipino voters abroad to reach 3 million. According to the agency, internet voting will be more engaging so that more people can register overseas including the 300,000 seafarers.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

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