The critical aspects for the online voting system for overseas absentee voters (OAV) for the upcoming May 2025 Philippine National & Local Elections (NLE) must be closely monitored. This was underscored by AKO OFW Party List nominee Dr. Joseph Timothy Rivera, during the sidelines of the information dissemination on Internet voting for Filipino Community Leaders hosted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on December 6, at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Doha
In a statement to the media, the OFW congressional hopeful from Qatar further elaborated that unlike previous elections wherein OAVs get to vote privately and securely without interference or influence inside the premises of various Philippine embassies and consulates, the new system, though cost-efficient for the government and practically convenient for the voter, the new platform may still be prone to abuse or misuse especially for old aged voters who are not tech savvy.
Rivera further emphasized that Filipino civic organizations abroad must really work hand in hand with the Comelec and various Philippine diplomatic posts in encouraging OAVs to take advantage of internet voting by diligently enrolling for such privilege starting February 2025.
For this, Rivera said that his point has been concurred by AKO OFW Partylist Chairman & First Nominee Dr. Chie Umandap hence their suggestion for non-partisan public establishments such as Filipino-owned restaurants, stores or saloons to install desktop computers in their premises and assist public voters in pre enrolling and/or actual voting, which the Comelec responded in the affirmative provided that such premises are approved by the DFA.
During this forum, the mechanics on pe-enrollment for online voting and actual internet voting for overseas absentee voters were demonstrated. The training workshop also clarified that pre-enrolment for internet voting and actual voting can be done in separate gadgets.
Also, any OAV can vote online from virtually anywhere in the world with internet connection during the 30-day voting period provided that online pre-enrollment to the Comelec’s web-based portal must be done in the host country where the overseas voter is registered.
The successful workshop being the final leg of its kind by COMELEC was graced by DFA officials led by Undersecretary Jesus Domingo and Ambassador HE Lillibeth V. Pono from the Philippine Embassy in Doha.
The full day event, which was attended by leading Filipino community and institutional leaders in Qatar, was hosted by a high-level delegation from the COMELEC led by Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Rey Bulay.
Rivera congratulated both the DFA and the COMELEC for their unwavering efforts in promoting the modernization of the Philippine overseas absentee voting system and likewise applauded the Philippine Embassy Doha together with the Migrant Workers Office in successfully hosting the pioneering workshop with utmost efficiency.