THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is targeting at least a 50 percent voter turnout as the month-long overseas voting kicks off on April 13.
This year, the poll body is introducing Internet voting to encourage more participation from the 1.32 million registered overseas Filipino voters.
Comelec Chair George Garcia said 77 out of 93 Philippine posts abroad will implement online voting, allowing Filipinos to cast their votes using smartphones, laptops, or tablets. This method particularly benefits seafarers and remote workers, as it eliminates the need to visit embassies or consulates.
To use Internet voting, voters must enroll at ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll.
So far, around 40,000 have registered. Once enrolled, each voter receives a secure account and password to vote online. Garcia assured the public that the system is protected by international certifications, source code reviews, and multiple security layers.
Meanwhile, 13 posts in countries like China and Russia, where online voting is not permitted, will use automated counting machines instead.
In 2022, the overseas turnout was 40.59 percent — a record high.
Overseas voters will select 12 senators and one party-list group. The voting ends on May 12, 2025, at 7 p.m. (Philippine time).
