The internet voting registration website of the Commission on Elections. EXPAT MEDIA

Filipino voters in the UAE can participate in the first online voting for the Philippine midterm elections, with 189,892 registered overseas voters expected to cast their ballots. The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that online voting will run from April 13 to May 12, with polls closing at 3pm (UAE time) on the final day. The UAE ranks first worldwide in terms of registered overseas Filipino voters. In the 2022 Presidential Elections, overseas voters in the UAE also recorded the highest voter turnout.

Why online voting?

Comelec said it implemented online voting to make the electoral process more accessible to overseas Filipinos, eliminating challenges related to distance, time constraints, and geographical limitations. "We want to help our fellow Filipinos abroad by making voting easier and simpler while ensuring security," said Director Ian Michel G. Geonanga of the Office for Overseas Voting (Comelec). "Internet voting is an option so we can vote faster and easier. Anytime, anywhere voting can be done anytime, anywhere," he added. Geonanga assured voters that the online voting system is highly secure with “multi-layered security” and authentication and verification measures. According to Comelec, online voting will be implemented in 77 Philippine foreign service posts worldwide, including Philippine diplomatic missions in the UAE. Only 16 posts are not yet ready to adopt online voting and will conduct voting in person and via postal mode. Only registered overseas voters will be allowed to vote, with pre-enrollment required to participate in online voting. The deadline for pre-enrollment is May 7. Pre-enrollment in the online voting system is not an automatic process. Even if you are a registered overseas voter, you still need to pre-enroll before May 7, Comelec has reiterated, adding that this step ensures that only legitimate voters can access the system, preventing fraud and unauthorized access.

How to enroll and vote online

1. Check your voter status: Confirm if you are in the Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV). - Dubai voters - Abu Dhabi voters 2. Pre-enroll: Access ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll and follow instructions. 3. Get access: Wait for an email or SMS confirmation granting access to the voting portal 4. Test vote: After pre-enrollment, you can familiarize yourself with the test vote system until April 12. 5. Vote online: From April 13 to May 12, 2025, log in and cast your vote! Philippine missions in UAE remind OFWs to pre-enroll for online voting ahead of May 7 deadline The Philippine Embassy in the UAE and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates have urged all registered overseas voters to pre-enroll for online voting ahead of the May 7 deadline to ensure their participation in the 2025 Philippine national elections. Director Ian Michel G. Geonanga of the Office for Overseas Voting (Comelec) emphasized that pre-enrollment is a mandatory step for those who wish to vote online, explaining that the new system aims to enhance accessibility while maintaining security. The pre-enrollment ensures that only those registered will be allowed to vote as their identification cards and biometrics will be validated by the system, Geonanga explained. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver encouraged Filipino overseas voters in the UAE to participate in the elections, calling them partners in helping shape the future of the Philippines. “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,” added Philippine Consul General Marford Angeles. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page