The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision to reschedule the pre-enrollment period for the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) is “proof of its commitment to safeguard the integrity of overseas elections. “
Comelec had initially set the pre-enrollment period for OVCS from March 10 to March 20 at the request of Philippine diplomatic posts abroad.
Pre-enrollment is a requirement for registered overseas Filipino voters before they can participate in the elections. The overseas voting period will run from April 13 to May 12 (Philippine Standard Time).
According to Comelec’s final list of specific overseas voting methods, 77 out of 93 Philippine posts abroad will adopt the OVCS, which will be introduced in the 2025 midterm elections.
Meanwhile, 16 Philippine embassies and consulates general will use automated counting machines (ACMs).
“The Department hopes Comelec’s decision for postponement shall enable it to ensure that the OVCS passes all the testing and certification required by Republic Act 9369, the Election Automation Law of 2007, prior to its launch,” the DFA said in a statement.
“The Department, for its part, is ready to implement the OVCS upon Comelec’s direction, and remains resolute and committed to fulfilling its mandate of administering the vote to registered Filipino overseas voters during the overseas voting period from April 13 to May 12,” it added.