MANILA, Philippines — In a move to modernize its electoral process, the Philippines’ Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced Tuesday it will issue digital voter identification cards to overseas Filipino voters, paving the way for internet voting in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia said in a statement that the new digital IDs will be exclusively issued to Filipino voters abroad, enabling them to participate in the initial implementation of internet voting.
“The Commission has approved the issuance of the digital voter’s ID to facilitate participation in the pilot internet voting for the forthcoming elections,” Garcia stated. He added that registered overseas Filipino voters can request their digital IDs via email, with a dedicated address to be provided for such requests.
The introduction of digital voter IDs marks a significant step in the Philippines’ efforts to enhance voter accessibility and modernize its electoral system. The Comelec plans to utilize an Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for overseas voting in the 2025 midterms, reflecting a growing trend of digital solutions in election processes worldwide.
To participate in the internet voting pilot, overseas voters will need to complete a pre-enrollment process scheduled from February 12 to May 12, 2025. This process will require the submission of personal information and government-issued identification documents.
The digital voter’s ID will serve as an alternative form of valid government-issued identification for those unable to present a Philippine passport or seafarer’s identification record book, further streamlining the voting process for Filipino citizens living abroad.
As the Philippines embraces this technological advancement in its electoral system, the move is likely to be closely watched by other nations considering similar modernization efforts in their voting processes.
The success of this initiative could potentially reshape the landscape of overseas voting, making it more accessible and efficient for millions of Filipinos living and working around the globe.
