Electronic voting in other countries is allowed for some sectors stationed overseas, particularly uniformed personnel and their families via email, fax, or via internet-voting platforms.
OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino headed a technical working group (TWG) today with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and the Office of Chairperson Maximo Dalog of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms on House Bill 6770, which seeks to expand voting methods of overseas voters to include electronic or internet voting.
In line with COMELEC En Banc’s approval yesterday of internet voting for Overseas Filipino Voters for the 2025 elections, the OFW Party List held a TWG with relevant government agencies on House Bill 6770, authored by Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino, to finetune the provisions of the proposed measure prior to its initial deliberation in the House of Representatives.
“We want to avoid voting disenfranchisement of the 1.83 million-strong Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and to further encourage them to exercise their right of suffrage, thus we welcome Comelec’s policy direction on internet voting, as they have discussed in their regular meeting yesterday, May 17, 2023. It is in consonance with the advocacy of the OFW Party List to expand the voting methods for our OFWs. Karaniwang problema ng ating mga OFWs ang pagrehistro, lalo na ang pagboto, kada eleksyon dahil sa mga limitasyon sa kanilang lugar ng trabaho o di kaya’y schedule ng trabaho. Ito’y mas malaking problema ng ating mga seafarers na nakadestino kapag eleksyon. Hindi din lahat ng mga foreign posts natin ay mayroong option magpadala ng boto via mail kaya’t ang iba’y kailangan bumyahe pa papunta sa consulate o embassy para bumoto. Kaya’t nitong huling eleksyon ay halos kalahati lamang ng 1.6 million registered overseas voters ang nakaboto,” said Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino.
In House Bill 6770, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), including Filipino seafarers, will be allowed to register, receive their ballots and cast their votes through available electronic means as the COMELEC may determine. These may include electronic mail, web-based portals, and other internet-based technologies. It also provides mechanisms that will further enhance existing methods and procedures of absentee voting of OFWs and Overseas Filipinos (OFs) while protecting the sanctity of their votes.
Electronic voting in other countries is allowed for some sectors stationed overseas, particularly uniformed personnel and their families via email, fax, or via internet-voting platforms.
