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Solon highlights OFWs' bad experience with online voting

Philippines | National

Solon highlights OFWs' bad experience with online voting

By Joseph Pedrajas

At A Glance

Several overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have expressed concern over the supposed discrepancies in online voting for the elections that they experienced firsthand, a lawmaker revealed Tuesday, May 6.

Several overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have expressed concern over the supposed discrepancies in online voting for the elections that they experienced firsthand, a lawmaker revealed Tuesday, May 6.

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said he was deeply alarmed by reports from OFWs after they supposedly faced difficulties in voting online for the 2025 midterm elections.

These involve problems in the enrollment process, unresponsive systems, and concerns over vote confirmation.

Some OFWs also reported discrepancies between their selections and the actual votes on the final ballot, with some even finding their votes supposedly altered after submission.

According to Salo, such challenges have raised significant apprehension among the Filipino diaspora, which already faces obstacles in accessing and participating in the voting process.

It is also alleged that the online system does not allow seafarers who are registered voters and are currently in the Philippines to cast their vote.

“This is deeply alarming. If these reports are true, they raise serious questions about the integrity and reliability of the overseas voting system. Our OFWs deserve better,” Salo said.

“We maintain our trust in the electoral system, and incidents like this must not be ignored. They must be addressed immediately to dispel any doubt or mistrust they may cause among our voters overseas,” he added.

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