Internet voting for overseas voters being eyed in 2025 polls
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing the use of the internet voting system for overseas voters in the 2025 polls.

"As you know, Congress has to pass a law to make this possible... It's impossible to use this in 2022," Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said in an online press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 8, for the internet voting test run with the one offered by service provider Voatz, Inc.
"If these test runs are efficient, effective, and cost efficient, we will recommend to the Comelec en banc that we request Congress to pass a law to use mobile voting app in the future. We are looking at 2025," she added.
"If this test is successful, I have no doubt that the senators and congressmen will fully support mobile voting app in the future," said Guanzon.
Overseas voting is being conducted either personally or by mail.
The commissioner-in-charge of the Comelec - Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) believes having mobile app voting in the future for overseas voters will save the Comelec and the national government a lot of money.
"For example, courier services, transportation, and the most important thing our overseas voters will have easier access to vote especially seafarers and those who cannot leave work in order to vote," Guanzon said.
The first test run for overseas internet voting will begin on Sept. 11, 8 a.m. (Manila time), up to Sept. 13, Monday, 8 a.m. (Manila time).
Comelec OFOV said there are currently 671 test voters for the test run.
The Comelec said other service providers Indra and Smartmatic are also set to conduct demonstrations this month.
Based on Republic Act No. 10590, the Commission may explore other more efficient voting systems, "whether paper-based, electronic-based, or internet-based technology, or such other latest technology available," for onsite and remote registration and elections and submit reports and recommendations to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.