Comelec boosts overseas voting, partners with Amosup
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with various institutions, including the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (Amosup), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Rotary International District 3810, to bolster overseas Filipino voter participation.
The MoA outlines collaborative efforts to educate and inform overseas Filipinos about voter registration and the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).
These partnerships aim to ensure the success of overseas voting initiatives, as the overseas voting period for the 2025 NLE is scheduled from April 13 to May 12, 2025.
Statistics reveal that in 2022, there were 1.697 million registered Filipinos, a mere fraction of the estimated 10 million to 12 million Filipinos residing abroad.
Alarmingly, only 40.59 percent of these registered voters cast their votes.
Comelec’s approval of specific voting modes, including online and traditional methods, is pivotal for engaging overseas Filipinos across 93 designated posts. Of these, 76 will adopt online voting and counting systems, while 17 will opt for traditional modes.
Amosup’s role includes disseminating information and encouraging voter registration among overseas Filipinos. The collaboration also encompasses satellite voter registration drives, with select Amosup offices hosting events in different provinces. Comelec will oversee the registration process, while Amosup will provide logistical support and facilitate access to its offices.
This agreement underscores the shared responsibility of both organizations in promoting overseas Filipino voter engagement through joint information campaigns, satellite registration drives, and mutual support. It represents a significant effort towards inclusive democratic participation and the representation of overseas Filipinos in Philippine elections.