A lawmaker is expecting numerous overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to participate in the first-ever internet voting in the country.
The report by RH 12 Milky Rigonan mentioned that because of modern technology, lawmakers are expecting a great number of OFWs to participate in the historic internet voting in the country.
OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino is appealing to Filipinos abroad to utilize electronic voting for the midterm elections. The solon explained that internet voting will make it easier for OFWs to directly vote, wherever they are.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) stated that mechanisms are now in place for internet voting at 77 foreign posts. Through this, Filipino voters can send in their votes using tablets, laptops, or mobile phones.
Magsino emphasized that in the 2022 elections, 35.5% of Filipinos were registered voters overseas. The former highlighted this as the reason why they filed the Overseas Electronic Registration and Voting Act (House Bill No. 6770) or the Internet Voting Bill.
“Ang panukalang ito ay naglalayong mapalawak ang mga proseso ng pagrehistro at pagboto tuwing halalan at hikayatin ang mga manggagawang Pilipino gamitin ang kanilang karapatan bumoto,” the OFW Party-list said in a social media post.
“Nais ng OFW Party List, sa pakikipagtulungan sa COMELEC at ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan, na maging option na ang pagrehistro at pagboto via electronic means gamit ang cell phones, laptops, o tablets para sa mga overseas voters,” it furthered.
Filipinos who are abroad, including OFWs and seafarers, can now register and vote without the hassle of asking their employers for permission to travel to the embassy or consulates in their respective locations.
For the pre-voting enrollment at the embassies and consulates, Filipinos may enroll using an internet-capable device, or through voting kiosks at the said offices.
The voting period for overseas voters would be held from April 23 to May 12, 2025.
