Extended overseas voter sign-up ends Oct. 14: Comelec

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said the extended voter registration period will end on October 14.

In an advisory, the poll body reminded all qualified Filipinos who are currently overseas or will be overseas on the day of the election, to sign up on the last day of the registration period, which was extended from the original September 30 deadline.

Voter registration activities for OFWs are being held at Philippine embassies and consulates worldwide, including the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan.

The poll body said voter registration days and hours will follow the operational schedule of the Foreign Service Posts. Registrants are advised to check the hours of operation of each office before their visit.

To register as an overseas voter, the following steps may be used as a guide: fill out and print 3 copies of the OVF-1 Form at the Rehistro for Overseas Voting website https://irehistro.comelec.gov.ph/irehistro/ovf1. 

It added that the document should be printed on long bond copy paper (8.5″ x 13″), back to back, and advised registrants not to affix a thumbmark and signature yet.

The following appropriate documentary requirements to be submitted are as follows: For Filipino citizen, a valid Philippine passport, or, in the absence of a valid passport, a certification of the DFA that it has reviewed the appropriate documents submitted by the applicant and has found them sufficient to warrant the issuance of a passport, or that the applicant is a holder of a valid passport but is unable to produce the same for a valid reason.

For dual citizens, applicants who availed themselves of the Citizen Retention and Reacquisition Act (Republic Act No. 9225) shall present the original or certified true copy of the order of approval of their application to retain or reacquire their Filipino citizenship issued by the post, or Identification Certificate issued by the Post or Bureau of Immigration.

As for seafarers, they are required to submit a photocopy of their Seaman’s Book; or any other pertinent document, proceed to any overseas voter registration center located at the nearest Philippine embassy, consulate, and the MECO.

The Comelec added that for the complete processing of the application, applicants must provide the complete mailing address where he/she will be located during the overseas voting period set from April 10 to May 9, 2022, as well as their e-mail addresses.

The complete listings of the overseas voter registration centers worldwide are available at the DFA-OVS’ website at www.dfa-oavs.gov.ph and Comelec at www.comelec.gov.ph.

Overseas absentee voters will only vote for president, vice president, senators, and party-list group in the next year’s polls.