Manila, Philippines- The Commission on Elections has officially started the first-ever Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for Overseas Filipino Workers.
Previously, OFWs could only vote by personally going to designated Philippine Legations or by sending their ballots through trusted couriers.
Overseas voting opened on April 13, 2025, at 8:00 AM Philippine time, and will close on May 12, at 7:00 PM. In total, it will last thirty days.
OFWs based in New Zealand, under the jurisdiction of the Wellington Philippine Embassy, were the first to vote in the midterm elections. Honolulu, in the United States, opened last at two o’clock in the morning.
“So far, maayos po yung pagboto, mabilis naman po yung pagboto ng mga kababayan natin. Lalo na yung mga nakapag-enrolled na. Yung iba naman, ka-eenroll palang pero nakaboto na rin kaagad.” Garcia said.
This is the first time Filipinos abroad will vote online, but OFWs must be “enrolled” as online voters.
According to COMELEC, 77 posts from various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and European countries, are authorized for online voting.
Meanwhile, registered voters from China, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Libya are not allowed to vote online, so they can only vote by going to embassies or consulates.
“Yung lahat ng 77 posts abroad ay pwede na makaboto using the internet, 24/7”
Out of over 1.2 million Filipino voters abroad, 55,000 are enrolled in the pre-voting system, according to Election Chairman George Erwin Garcia.
“Natutuwa tayo sapagkat ang dami kaagad na mga bumoto at nag-increase na rin yung bilang ng mga nagpapa-enroll. 55,000 at hindi lang namin mabanggit kasi kung ilan na lahat ang nakaboto.”
OFWs who are not yet enrolled for online voting can still register for pre-voting until May 7.