Pre-voting enrollment period for internet voters abroad starts March 10

BARANGAY VOTE Voters flock Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, to the Angelicum College polling center for Barangay Sto. Domingo in Quezon City, where over 5,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The pre-voting enrollment period for overseas internet voting will start on March 10, 2025 until May 7, 2025, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Overseas Filipino voters of Philippine posts abroad adopting internet voting in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections shall enroll in the Overseas Voting and Counting System (OVCS) from March 10, 2025 (Monday) to May 7, 2025 (Wednesday),” the poll body said in a Facebook advisory.

READ: How, when overseas Filipinos can cast votes

The 30-day overseas online voting period will begin from April 13, 2025 to May 12, 2025 at 7 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time).

Comelec Information Technology Direction Jeannie Flororita previously said registered overseas Filipinos must enroll in the OVCS first before they can proceed with online voting.

The overseas online voters can enroll in the OVCS in any of the following:

• Self pre-voting enrollment using voter’s own internet-capable device during the pre-voting enrollment period
• Voting kiosk at Philippine posts during the overseas voting period
• Field/mobile pre-voting enrollment scheduled by Philippine post

Comelec also advised that the overseas voters must observe the following guidelines:

• Sign up using the official link for pre-enrollment voting provided by Comelec.
• Follow the indicated instructions.
• Overseas voters can vote during the 30-day online voting period once pre-enrollment is successful.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 11061, successfully pre-registered overseas online voters can vote for senators and one party-list group through the use of their own internet-capable device or by going to a voting kiosk at a Philippine post.

Only the following overseas online voters may use a voting kiosk at a post:

• Those who are illiterate
• Persons with disability
• Senior citizens
• Pregnant women

READ: Comelec inks deal for online voting, counting system for overseas voters

“For voters at the kiosk who are illiterate or physically unable to accomplish the digital ballot, assistance may be provided by a relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, a person from the same household, or a member of the Special Board of Election Inspectors,” the resolution added.

The Comelec also released the list of the specific modes of overseas voting across the world.