Voter registration
WITH its decision to resume the regisration of voters, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is on track in ensuring the participation of more Filipinos in future elections.
Everybody agrees that the people, through the electorate, voice their will in the selection of government officials or in the determination of political issues of paramount concern.
In democratic nations across the globe, like impoverished Philippines, not all the people exercise the right of suffrage. Only registered electors enjoy this constitutional privilege.
That’s why we doff our hat to poll officials, led by Chairman George Garcia, a lawyer, for resuming the registration of voters, who work or live abroad, on December 9.
Handling the registration of voters is the COMELEC’s Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV). It is in preparation for the May 13, 2025 national and local elections.
“All qualified Filipino citizens…may file their applications for registration at any Post abroad or designated registration centers outside the Post or at designated registration centers in the Philippines,” the poll body said in a press statement.
Those who may register are citizens of the Philippines, who are abroad or will be out of the country during the 30-day voting period (April 13-May 12, 2025) of the mid-term polls.
To register, applicants must accomplish the overseas voter registration form (OVF1), which is downloadable at the Comelec website, and personally submit the same to the registration center.
Aside from the OVF1, they need to present their passport or a certification issued by the Post that it has received and reviewed the appropriate documents submitted by the applicant.
Those who will register will be able to participate in the May 13, 2025 national and local elections, voting for 12 senators and a party-list member of the House of Representatives.
