Onsite Regional Training on the Continuing Registration for Overseas Voting for Purposes of 2025 National and Local Elections

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

MANILA, 13 December 2022 – The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Overseas Voting Secretariat (OVS) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) recently concluded the Onsite Regional Trainings on the Continuing Registration for Overseas Voting for Purposes of the 2025 National and Local Elections as part of the preparations for the resumption of overseas voter registration on 09 December 2022. 

The regional trainings were held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 24 to 28 October 2022, in Barcelona, Spain from 07 to 11 November 2022, in Seoul, Korea from 21 to 25 November 2022, and in Toronto, Canada from 28 November to 02 December 2022.

A total of 180 representatives from the different Foreign Service Posts in the regions of the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and Middle East and Africa attended the said trainings.

The trainings were conducted to equip the Foreign Service personnel with the legal and technical knowledge in implementing R.A. 10590, otherwise known as the “Overseas Voting Act of 2013”, particularly on the aspect of overseas voter registration, and of COMELEC Resolution 10833 or the “Rules and Regulations on the Conduct of Continuing Registration for Overseas Voting for Purposes of the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections”.

COMELEC Commissioners and OVS officials spearheaded the regional trainings.    Commissioner Marlon S. Casquejo, Commissioner-in-Charge for Overseas Voting, Commissioner Aimee P. Ferolino, and OVS Vice-Chair Zoilo A. Velasco led the training in Dubai. 

DFA Undersecretary and OVS Chairperson Jesus S. Domingo, and COMELEC Commissioners Rey E. Bulay and Socorro B. Inting, on the other hand, led the training in Barcelona.  For the training in Seoul, COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia, Commissioner Casquejo and Undersecretary Domingo took the helm.

The last leg of the regional trainings held in Toronto was led by Undersecretary Domingo, Commissioner Casquejo, and Commissioner Ferolino.

The overseas voting registration will commence on 09 December 2022 and will run for almost two years until 30 September 2024. END

Barcelona, Spain

Seoul, Korea

Toronto, Canada