The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is pushing forward with its internet voting plan for overseas Filipinos in the 2025 midterm polls, reaffirming its commitment to making the voting process more inclusive — particularly for seafarers who struggle to vote using traditional means.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said in a radio interview on Sunday that the initiative has been in the works for two years and is aimed at addressing key challenges in overseas voting.
“We welcome that petition to us,” Garcia said, referring to the Supreme Court plea filed by PDP-Laban, some senatorial hopefuls, and overseas voters seeking to halt the move. “We have been announcing and preparing for internet voting for two years… We are also ready to address the issue of legality.”
Garcia underscored the need to adapt voting methods to fit the realities of OFWs, especially those at sea. “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,” he explained. “That’s where internet voting comes in. As long as it is secure, reliable, and the vote is protected — it can be done.”
While the 2022 overseas voter turnout reached an all-time high of 40.59 percent — with nearly 600,000 out of 1.697 million registered voters abroad casting their ballots — Garcia emphasized that reliance on in-person or mail-in methods is no longer practical. He noted that 90 percent of ballots sent by mail were not returned.
“In previous elections, there were only two ways to vote for overseas voters — first, in person; second, by mail,” he said. This, he said, has prompted Comelec to roll out online voting in 77 foreign posts. Sixteen diplomatic missions will continue using the traditional paper ballots and voting machines.
Critics argue that internet voting introduces a new election mechanism without congressional backing. However, Garcia maintained that the process underwent proper coordination. “It was properly consulted with Congress, especially with the electoral reforms committee and during budget hearings,” he said. “There were no violent objections.”
He added that the response from overseas Filipinos and embassy staff has been largely positive. “The initiative has been warmly embraced,” Garcia shared.
Pre-enrollment for online voting is open until May 7, with the month-long voting period set to kick off on April 13, 2025.
