FILIPINOS looking to vote in the May 2025 midterm polls despite being based abroad may take the first step beginning December 9 by becoming registered overseas voters, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said as it announced the reopening of the overseas voter registration.
“Applications for Registration/Certification, transfer of registration records, change of name due to marriage or court order/correction of entries in the Voter’s Registration Record, reactivation, and change of address may be filed from 09 December 2022 to 30 September 2024,” said Comelec Resolution No. 10833.
The registration will run for almost two years.
The poll body said qualified to register as overseas voters are all citizens of the Philippines who are abroad or will be abroad during the 30-day voting period, at least 18 years of age on the day of the elections, and not otherwise disqualified by law.
On the other hand, disqualified from registering as overseas voters are those who have lost their Filipino citizenship in accordance with Philippine laws, those who have expressly renounced their Philippine citizenship or who have pledged allegiance to a foreign country, except dual citizens; those who have committed and are convicted in a final judgment by a court for an offense punishable by imprisonment of not less than one year; and any citizen of the Philippines abroad previously declared insane or incompetent by competent authority in the Philippines or abroad, as verified by the Philippine embassies, consulates or Foreign Service establishments concerned.
The poll body said applications may be filed at any Philippine post abroad, or at designated registration centers outside the post, or at the designated registration centers in the Philippines as approved by the Commission.
In applying, the Comelec said every applicant shall accomplish OVF 1, and submit a valid Philippine passport to establish applicant’s identity.
In case of applicants who have availed of the “Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act,” the original or certified true copy of the order of approval of their application to retain or reacquire their Filipino citizenship issued by a Philippine post abroad or their identification certificates issued by a Philippine post abroad or the Bureau of Immigration must be presented.
