OVERSEAS VOTING 2025: COMELEC’S PUSH FOR REFORM AND INCLUSION

THIS YEAR’S MIDTERM ELECTIONS COULD SERVE AS A SHOWCASE OF THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO VOTERS IN SHAPING NATIONAL LEADERSHIP. WELL AWARE OF SUCH, THE COMELEC IS TAKING STEPS TO TAP INTO THIS POTENTIAL.

As the Philippines approaches a pivotal election, the crucial role of overseas Filipino voters has never been more evident. With almost 1.25 million registered voters abroad as of 2024, the diaspora holds significant influence in shaping national leadership. Yet, systemic barriers have long hindered their full participation, prompting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to push for reforms aimed at making the electoral process more accessible, transparent, and efficient.

 Beyond their economic contributions—remitting billions of dollars annually—overseas Filipinos are a critical voice in the country’s democracy. However, their impact remains  underutilized, with only 39 percent of registered voters abroad casting their ballots in the 2022 elections. This low turnout underscores the urgent need for stronger engagement and improved voting mechanisms.

“Overseas Filipinos are a vital part of our democracy,” said Comelec Chairperson George Garcia. “Their experiences abroad and commitment to the Philippines enrich our electoral process. It is our duty to ensure that they can participate with ease and confidence.” As the country moves toward the next election, the challenge is clear: turning overseas voter potential into a meaningful voice in choosing our national leaders.

OVERSEAS VOTING: LEGAL BASIS AND IMPACT ON ELECTIONS

Overseas voting refers to the process by which qualified Filipino citizens residing abroad can exercise their right to vote. It was instituted in the Philippines through Republic Act (RA) 9189, otherwise known as the Overseas Voting Act of 2003. Overseas voting first took place in the 2004 elections, with almost 360,000 registered voters. The law was amended in 2013 by RA 10590.

Under the system of overseas voting, “[a]ll citizens of the Philippines abroad, who are not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of elections, may vote for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party List Representatives, as well as in all national referenda and plebiscites.”

For the 2025 polls, those who registered before September 2024 shall be eligible to vote. With almost 1.25 million registered overseas voters for the 2025 midterm elections, overseas voting could spell the difference in closely-contested races. For instance, 1,844,655 votes separated the 12th and 13th placers in the 2022 senatorial race. This year’s senatorial race is expected to be an even closer contest, with March 2025 surveys showing eight to ten candidates battling it out for the 7th to 12th spots. Meanwhile, the impact of overseas voting could potentially be felt even more in the partylist elections. Of the winning partylist groups in the 2022 elections, only two garnered more than 1 million votes. The five last-placed groups, meanwhile, received not more than 250,000 votes each. The challenge for Comelec is to encourage more overseas Filipinos to actually vote. In the 2022 elections, the turnout was only about 39 percent. The turnout for Europe was noticeably higher at almost 48 percent.

OVERSEAS VOTING IN EUROPE: IMPORTANT FIGURES

Data from Comelec show that the number of registered overseas voters had been on the rise from 2004 up to 2019. From 359,296 registered overseas voters for the 2004 elections, the number went up five-fold in 2019, with 1,822,173 registered overseas voters.

The Covid-19 pandemic caused a drop in the number of registered overseas voters for 2022, totalling 1,697,215. The numbers further fell this year, with 1,241,690 registered overseas Filipino voters. The numbers for Europe reflect the overall figures for the last three national elections. A total of 187,624 Filipinos residing in Europe registered for the 2019 national elections. Meanwhile, the number went down to 153,491 for the 2022 elections, owing to the pandemic. The regional total for this year’s polls stands at 145,381.

PARTICIPATING IN THE OVERSEAS VOTING PROCESS

One of the most significant innovations in the 2025 elections is the introduction of internet voting for overseas Filipinos. Announced during a town hall meeting at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on November 6, 2024, Comelec Commissioner Marlon S. Casquejo confirmed that around 1 million registered voters across 76 embassies and consulates will have access to this new system. “Internet voting is not just about convenience—it’s about inclusivity,” said Casquejo. “It ensures that Filipinos abroad, no matter where they are, can exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard.” Internet voting will replace the traditional modes of overseas voting, where voters had to personally cast their votes at Philippine posts, and postal voting, where qualified voters send their ballots through mail. Internet voting will be implemented in 76 Philippine posts, making it the major mode for overseas Filipinos to cast their ballots in the 2025 elections. Meanwhile, the traditional modes of will still be used in 17 posts. “Post” refers to the “Philippine embassies, consulates, foreign service establishments and other Philippine government agencies maintaining offices abroad and having jurisdiction over the places where the overseas voters reside.”

To ensure a smooth transition, Comelec has launched awareness campaigns urging overseas voters to verify their registration and complete a pre enrollment process starting March 10, 2025. The voting period itself will run from April 13 to May 12, 2025.

“KONTRA BIGAY:” COMBATING VOTE BUYING

As part of its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the elections, Comelec has launched significant reforms aimed at addressing common election issues. One of these is the Kontra Bigay initiative. Vote-buying has long been a challenge in Philippine elections, undermining the democratic process and perpetuating a cycle of inequality and corruption. Kontra Bigay, a comprehensive campaign to combat vote-buying through heightened surveillance, reporting mechanisms, and stricter enforcement of election laws, aims to address the issue.

Comelec has established partnerships with civil society organizations and law enforcement agencies to monitor and report vote-buying activities, both domestically and abroad. For overseas voters, the campaign emphasizes vigilance and encourages reporting any instances of vote buying, ensuring that their votes reflect their true choices. Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. emphasized the importance of this campaign. “Vote-buying erodes the foundation of democracy. Through Kontra Bigay, we aim to restore integrity and fairness in our elections. We call on every Filipino, whether at home or abroad, to reject and report such practices,” he said.

GREENING THE ELECTIONS

In addition to ensuring clean elections, Comelec is also addressing the environmental impact of the electoral process. The Greening the Elections initiative aims to reduce waste and promote sustainability in election-related activities. Measures include reducing the use of single-use plastics in campaign materials, encouraging digital campaigns over printed materials, and advocating for eco-friendly practices during election preparations and implementation.

For overseas voters, this reform ensures that their participation  contributes to a more sustainable election process. Embassies and consulates are also being encouraged to adopt paperless voting solutions and reduce waste in ballot handling. “Greening the Elections is not just about protecting the environment—it’s about fostering a culture of responsibility and sustainability that extends beyond the ballot box,” said Garcia.

CHALLENGES AND A CALL TO ACTION

Despite the abovementioned reforms, challenges remain. Access to voting centers for Filipinos in remote locations, delays in postal voting, and limited awareness of election reforms continue to pose obstacles. To address these issues, Comelec is exploring the possibility of implementing secure online voting in future elections, a move that could significantly boost overseas voter turnout. In the meantime, Comelec has strengthened voter education campaigns, leveraging social media platforms and partnerships with Filipino communities abroad to ensure that overseas Filipinos are well-informed about the electoral process and their options for participation. As the elections draw closer, the Philippine government in general and Comelec in particular are urging overseas voters to actively participate and help shape the nation’s future. Filipinos abroad have a unique perspective, informed by their experiences in their host countries, which can inspire governance and policy improvements back home.

“Ang boto ng bawat Pilipino ay mahalaga, saan man siya naroroon (Every Filipino vote matters, no matter where it is cast),” said Garcia. “We encourage every overseas Filipino to make their voices heard and help chart the course of our nation’s future.”

With reforms like Kontra Bigay and Greening the Elections, alongside the continued enhancement of overseas voting processes, Comelec is laying the groundwork for cleaner, fairer, and more inclusive elections. By casting their ballots, overseas Filipinos reaffirm their role as key stakeholders in the country’s democracy and future. Their participation sends a powerful message of hope and cooperation, proving that no matter where they are in the world, their voices remain essential to the nation’s progress.