PERSONS deprived of liberty (PDLs) may soon be casting their votes via internet voting, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In a press conference for the signing of Memorandum of Agreement with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Comelec chairman George Garcia said it is a possibility for the poll body to adopt the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) in future elections in the country.
“We can adopt the internet voting in the future elections, particularly for PDLs, elderly, and persons with disability (PWD). We can let them cast their votes using their cellphones, laptops, or we can establish a voting station in their areas,” said Garcia.
“We just hope that our people will be open minded to this new technology. We pay our bills, do our banking transactions via the internet. So why can’t we vote using the internet if it can be helpful for PWDs, seniors, and PDLs?” he said.
The poll chief, however, said the Comelec will only utilize the OVCS locally if the pilot testing for overseas voters will be successful.
“We want to try if first it first for those abroad. We cannot just jump into internet voting without testing it,” he said.
Currently, PDL voting may be done either through a special polling place established inside a jail facility or detention center, or escorted voting in a regular polling place.
Comelec data shows that there are 68,448 registered PDL voters for the May 2025 national and local polls.
And for the May 2025 polls, the BJMP, BuCor, and PAO have committed to help the Comelec ensure the successful voting process for PDLs.
Under the MOA, the BuCor and the BJMP are both tasked to coordinate and facilitate PDL voting and ensure the smooth and secure conduct of voter education by Comelec personnel within jail facilities or detention centers.
For its part, the PAO is tasked to ensure the basic constitutional right of the PDLs and prevent their disenfranchisement in the political process.
