THE OFW Party List participated in the internet voting demonstration organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
The event is in line with the shared advocacy of the OFW Party List and Comelec to make voting easier and more accessible for our overseas voters, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
During the demonstration, eight technology providers from different countries presented their proposals to Comelec officials, led by Chairperson George Erwin Garcia and Commissioner Marlon Casquejo who heads the Office for Overseas Voting of the Commission. The companies are: Miru, Smartmartic, Dermalog, Indra, E-Corp, Tambuli Labs, Voatz, and Thales. They presented their processes from log in, voting, encryption and data transfer.
The concerns on security and authentication were also addressed by the providers as well as best practices from countries which have already implemented internet voting, particularly Estonia. The OFW Party List and other panelists also raised clarificatory questions on the inclusion of online registration and canvassing of votes, the cost of the entire project, and easily understandable end-user communication.
“We take pride in being part of this groundbreaking initiative, which reflects our shared vision with Comelec. Problema ng mga OFW ang pagrerehistro at pagboto tuwing eleksyon dahil sa limitasyon sa kanilang lugar ng trabaho o sa schedule ng trabaho. Kaya’t lubos nating ikinatutuwa ang major development sa ating adbokasiya na internet o electronic voting. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa pagpupursige ng Comelec sa adhikaing ito dahil mahalaga sa ating OFWs na makalahok sa electoral process at makaboto via internet voting, lalo na para sa mga sea-based OFWs. Ngayong araw ay nakita na natin ang konkretong plano ng technology providers at ang malaking posibilidad na ito’y maisagawa sa 2025 elections. We’re finally stepping into the future of democracy!,” said Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino.
The headway in internet voting, including online registration of new voters, through the demonstration of technology providers, complements the movement in the legislative process through House Bill 6770 otherwise known as the ‘Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003’, as amended by Republic Act No. 10590, otherwise known as the ‘Overseas Voting Act of 2013’, which was filed by Magsino. A counterpart measure in Senate is authored by Senator Francis Tolentino.
The party list lawmaker and Comelec officials have met twice on proposed actions on internet voting. Last April 18, 2023, Magsino discussed her proposed legislation with Comelec Officials. Under the proposed measure, 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.
Last May 18, 2023, the OFW Party List also organized a technical working group (TWG) with representatives of the 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 to fine-tune the provisions of the bill.
The poll body used Section 16.11 of RA. No.9189 and Section 28 of RA. No. 10590 as legal basis for exploring more efficient, reliable and secure modes or systems of registration and voting. However, the OFW Party List believes that it is best to have a legislation expressly allowing for this to avoid any possible legal challenge against internet voting for overseas voters.
“We fully support the innovations being taken by COMELEC and respect their stand that current laws allow for internet voting. However, to prevent any legal impediments that may derail this endeavor later on, we will pursue our proposed legislation. This will be a parallel effort of the OFW Party List to ensure that internet voting will be a reality for the 1.8 million overseas voters by 2025 on top of supporting the allocations for the project in the budget deliberations for FY 2024 and years therafter,” said Magsino.
