DFA-OVS and COMELEC-OFOV Gears Up for the Implementation of Internet Voting for Overseas Filipinos for the 2025 National Elections
Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) Training and Internet Voting Information Drive Kick-off in Busan, Gyeongsang Province, South Korea (Photo Credits: DFA-OVS)
MANILA 16 August 2024 – Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS) and the Commission on Elections – Office for Overseas Voting intensified its preparations for the implementation of internet voting for Overseas Filipinos for the forthcoming 2025 National Elections.
After its kick-off in Busan, Gyeongsang Province, South Korea last June 2024 where DFA-OVS and COMELEC-OFOV conducted the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) Training and Internet Voting Information Drive that was attended by around 80 Filipino community leaders and members of the media, a series of similar trainings and information drives were conducted in Barcelona, Spain, Hong Kong SAR (July 2024) and Singapore (August 2024).
The aforementioned training aimed to train members of the Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) who will implement internet voting in the 2025 National Elections. Internet Voting Information Drives were also conducted to Filipino community leaders and members of the media in Spain, Hong Kong and Singapore. It was also designed to train and orient DFA personnel from different foreign service posts (FSPs) who will be serving in the elections in 2025.
“DFA-OVS fully supports COMELEC with this additional new mode of voting that will not only encourage our Kababayans abroad to exercise their right of suffrage but will also make the electoral process easier and more convenient for them. Information campaigns on internet voting will also play a vital role in the success of it. The Secretariat is committed and ready to assist COMELEC through our Foreign Service Posts in this regard.” DFA-OVS Chairperson Undersecretary Jesus S. Domingo said in a statement.
Similar trainings are scheduled to be conducted in the following: San Francisco, USA (September 2024), Prague, Czech Republic, Abu Dhabi, UAE (October 2024), Vancouver, Canada (November 2024) and Doha Qatar (TBA).
“If internet voting for overseas Filipinos proves to be successful, we can use it domestically for our senior citizens, persons with disability and pregnant women.” COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia said in a statement.
Seventy-six (76) Foreign Service Posts including the Manila Economic Cultural Offices (MECOs) and Mission will conduct internet voting for the 2025 National Elections.
The deadline for overseas voter registration is on 30 September 2024. END
DFA-OVS Chairperson Undersecretary Jesus S. Domingo during the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) Training and Internet Voting Information Drive in Barcelona, Spain (Photo Credits: DFA-OVS)
Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) Training and Internet Voting Information Drive in Hong Kong (Photo Credits: DFA-OVS)
Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) Training and Internet Voting Information Drive in Singapore (Photo Credits: DFA-OVS)
