Categories: Tips

Things you need to know about Overseas Voting

To all Overseas Filipino Workers who are outside the Philippines during the voting period and a registered absentee voting, you have the privilege to cast your vote at the premises of the embassies, consulates and other foreign service establishments authorized by the Commission to conduct the voting. Voting may be also held for limited days in the field voting centers or mobile voting centers authorized by the Commission.

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The voting begins on April 13, 2019 until May 13, 2019.

So, to answer some of your queries about the upcoming election period, we have gathered related information will be very useful for us – OFWs.

What is Overseas Voting?

Overseas voting is the process by which qualified citizens of the Philippines abroad exercise their right to vote.

What is OFOV?

The Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) is an office of the Commission tasked to oversee and supervise the effective implementation of the Overseas Voting Act (R.A. 9189 as amended by R.A. 10590).

Who can participate in Overseas Voting?

All citizens of the Philippines abroad, who are not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of elections.

Who cannot participate in Overseas Voting?

Those who are disqualified by the law namely:

a. Those who have lost their Filipino Citizenship;

b. Those who have expressly renounced their Philippine citizenship and who have pledged allegiance to a foreign country except those who have reacquired or retained their Philippine citizenship under Republic Act No. 9225, otherwise known as the ‘Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003;

c. Those who have committed and are convicted in a final judgment by a Philippine court or tribunal of an offense punishable by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year, such disability not having been removed by plenary pardon or amnesty: Provided, however, That any person disqualified to vote shall automatically acquire the right to vote upon the expiration of five (5) years after service of sentence; and

d. Any citizen of the Philippines abroad previously declared insane or incompetent by the competent authority in the Philippines or abroad, as verified by the Philippine embassies, consulates or Foreign Service establishments concerned, unless such competent authority subsequently certifies that such person is no longer insane or incompetent.

When shall the Overseas Voting start for the 2019 Elections?

The overseas voting shall start on April 13, 2019, exactly a month earlier than the elections that will be held in the Philippines.

What are the ways that an overseas voter can vote?

An overseas voter can vote by either personally or by mail.

How long does the Overseas Voting last?

Voting period lasts for thirty (30) days, inclusive of established holidays in the Philippines and such holidays in the host countries. For the 2019 National and Local Elections, the voting period shall be from April 13, 2019 to May 13, 2019.

Where is Overseas Voting conducted?

Voting is held at the premises of the embassies, consulates and other foreign service establishments authorized by the Commission to conduct the voting. Voting may be also held for limited days in the field voting centers or mobile voting centers authorized by the Commission.

Who conducts the voting?

For personal voting, the Commission deputizes a body to conduct the voting and counting of votes, known as the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI).

For postal voting, the Commission deputizes a body to take custody of the ballots and distribute the same during the voting to the registered voter, known as the Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG).