Philippine Consul General Marford Angeles during the Final Lockdown and Sealing of OVCS Equipment at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai on April 11, 2025. EXPAT MEDIA

Filipinos in the UAE are set to make history as they join the first internet voting for the Philippine midterm elections, with the online polls officially opening on April 13 and running until May 12. On Friday (April 11), the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai conducted the Final Lockdown and Sealing (FLS) of the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS), ensuring that all systems are fully secured and operational. "The general elections result was printed to show zero votes in the system," a consulate official told Expat Media. Philippine Consul General Marford Angeles encouraged Filipinos in the UAE to take part in this milestone. “Voting is important, and at the same time it is exciting for all of us to be part of this historic voting because this is the first time we will have online voting,” he said. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver also urged Filipinos in the Emirates to participate in shaping the country’s future. Filipinos in the UAE are among the first overseas voters to experience online voting. The UAE has the highest number of registered overseas Filipino voters, with 189,892 expected to participate. Voting closes at 3pm (UAE time) on May 12.

No manual voting at Philippine Consulate and Embassy

Filipino voters in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE will only be able to vote online in the upcoming midterm elections, as the Philippine Consulate General and Embassy will not offer manual voting. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that only illiterate voters, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women will be accommodated at voting kiosks that will be set up in embassies and consulates, but the votings kiosks will still use the online voting system. “Per the general instructions of the Comelec, only those who are illiterate, with disability, senior citizen, and pregnant may be accommodated to vote at the kiosk located in the consulate and embassy. There will be no manual voting as the kiosk will also be using online voting and the voter still has to use his or her own account,” the Philippine Consulate and the Philippine Embassy emphasized.

Pre-enrollment required by May 7

While the election day in the Philippines is set for May 12, overseas Filipinos will vote over a 30-day period via the Comelec online portal. However, only pre-enrolled voters will be able to access the online system. According to Director Ian Michel Geonanga of the Commission on Elections' Office for Overseas Voting, pre-enrollment is mandatory even for those who are already registered. “Internet voting is an option so we can vote faster and easier. Anytime, anywhere voting can be done anytime, anywhere,” Geonanga said. He added that the system is secured by multi-layered security protocols, including authentication and biometric verification to prevent fraud. “Pre-enrollment ensures that only legitimate voters can access the system,” he emphasized. The Comelec has implemented online voting in 77 Philippine foreign service posts to improve voter accessibility and participation among overseas Filipinos. “We want to help our fellow Filipinos abroad by making voting easier and simpler while ensuring security,” Geonanga explained.

How to pre-enroll and vote online

1. Check your voter status Find your name on the Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV): - Dubai and Northern Emirates CLOV - Abu Dhabi CLOV 2. Pre-enroll for online voting Go to ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll Follow the instructions to submit your information. 3. Wait for access confirmation You will receive an email or SMS once your enrollment is approved. 4. Try a test vote (optional) Familiarize yourself with the voting platform until April 12. 5. Vote online from April 13 to May 12 Use any internet-connected device with a camera (mobile, tablet, laptop, desktop) and cast your ballot via the Comelec voting portal. ICA/MJS/Expat Media
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