Comelec to pursue OFW internet voting

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday defended its decision to proceed with internet voting for overseas Filipinos in the 2025 midterm elections, citing the need for more accessible and inclusive voting methods, particularly for seafarers.

In a radio interview, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia disclosed that the poll body welcomes a petition filed before the Supreme Court seeking to halt the initiative, but insisted that internet voting has been under development for two years to address limitations with traditional voting methods.

“We welcome that petition to us,” Garcia said. “We have been announcing and preparing for internet voting for two years... We are also ready to address the issue of legality.”

He also stressed that Comelec had to explore alternative voting strategies, especially for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) like seafarers who frequently miss elections due to their work.

“The Comelec needs to think of other ways to vote, especially for our fellow countrymen who are seafarers and cannot vote because they are at sea,” Garcia said. “That’s where internet voting comes in. As long as it is secure, reliable, and the vote is protected — it can be done.”

In the 2022 elections, overseas Filipino voter turnout reached a record 40.59 percent, with nearly 600,000 of 1.697 million registered voters abroad participating. Despite this, Garcia noted that traditional methods — in-person voting and mail-in ballots — are no longer sufficient.

“In previous elections, there were only two ways to vote for overseas voters — first, in person; second, by mail,” Garcia said, adding that 90 percent of mailed ballots were not returned to consulates or embassies.

To improve participation, Comelec introduced online voting, initially for 77 overseas posts. Sixteen other diplomatic posts will continue using traditional voting machines and paper ballots.

Comelec confirmed that preparations for internet voting would continue despite a petition filed Thursday by PDP-Laban, some senatorial candidates, OFWs and registered overseas voters.

To recall, the group asked the Supreme Court to nullify four Comelec resolutions, including Resolution No. 11061, arguing they are unconstitutional and establish a “new and unprecedented electoral process” without congressional legislation.

Garcia clarified that internet voting was not implemented without proper consultation.

“It was properly consulted with Congress, especially with the electoral reforms committee and during budget hearings,” Garcia said. “There were no violent objections.”

He also stated that the initiative has been “warmly embraced” by overseas Filipinos and embassy personnel, who often serve on electoral boards during voting.

Pre-enrollment for overseas online voting is ongoing until 7 May, with the month-long voting period scheduled to begin on 13 April.