As the overseas voting period for the 2025 Philippine National and Local Elections begins, the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates has released a detailed guide to help Filipino voters abroad navigate the process.
1. Check if you are a registered overseas voter
Before anything else, voters are reminded to verify if their name is included in the Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV).
- For Dubai-based voters: tinyurl.com/CLOVDubai
- For those registered in Abu Dhabi: tinyurl.com/CLOVAbuDhabi
- For other regions, the list can be accessed through the COMELEC website.
Note: The registration period ended in September 2024.
2. Pre-enrollment is required before voting
Only voters who successfully pre-enroll at ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll on or before May 7, 2025, are allowed to vote online from April 13 to May 12, 2025 (until 3:00 p.m. UAE time).
3. How to pre-enroll
Pre-enrollment is quick and easy. Voters are advised to use their mobile phones and provide an active email address to ensure better photo capture and fast OTP (One-Time Password) delivery. A step-by-step guide is also available to assist enrollees.
4. Why some enrollments are disapproved
Enrollment may be disapproved for the following reasons:
- The individual is not a registered overseas voter.
- Their registration was deactivated for failing to vote in the 2019 Midterm Elections and 2022 Presidential Elections.
- The individual is currently in the Philippines, as only those abroad can pre-enroll.
5. Online voting only in UAE
The UAE is among the 77 Philippine Foreign Service Posts conducting online voting only. There is no manual voting at the Consulate or Embassy.
However, illiterate voters, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and senior citizens may seek assistance at the voting kiosks located in the Embassy or Consulate. They must still pre-enroll and use their own accounts as the system is fully digital.
For further inquiries, voters may contact:
- ovs@pcgdubai.ae (Dubai)
- abudhabioav@gmail.com (Abu Dhabi)
- Or overseasvoting@comelec.gov.ph for general questions related to overseas voting.
