OFWs in UAE relieved with Comelec extension of pre-voting enrolment

Abu Dhabi, UAE —Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United Arab Emirates said the three-day extension of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of the enrolment for online voting will allow more Filipinos to participate in the midterm elections.

Acting on the request of the Office for Overseas Voting, the Comelec en banc extended the enrollment period for the Online Voting and Counting System for the 2025 national and local elections from May 7 to May 10.

“It is definitely a relief and now I still have time to enrol. I never missed any elections as I believe it is
my constitutional right to vote and help shape our country’s future. This online voting is very convenient as it doesn’t give us any hassle to go to the embassy, pay for our fare just to vote. Now, we can do it anywhere, anytime. Kudos to the Comelec,” said Christian Dimatulac, who hails from Bukidnon.

Many OFWs also welcomed the online voting system for its convenience and accessibility, as it eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming travel to embassies and consular offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Arthur Lansangan Dayrit, an accountant in Abu Dhabi told GMA Integrated News in a separate
interview that enrolment was easy and swift.

“So far, so good. I just did the enrolment very quickly. As long as you have a strong internet connection,
I don’t think it is a problem," he said.

"It’s very convenient, not costly as we just need our device and internet connection. I preferred this than the manual voting as before we used to go to the embassy, pay for our fare and queue but now, nothing, we just have to vote online without hassle,” Dayrit added.

Dayrit hopes that the online voting is foolproof.

“It’s one great initiative and since this is the first time, we are really hoping that our votes will be
secured. I am confident that the government has all the measures to ensure the protection of our
votes,” he said.

Maila Ruiz, a native of Leyte, admitted to GMA Integrated News that she was not confident in
proceeding with the enrolment, so she went to the embassy to ask for assistance.

Ruiz said the embassy officials were very welcoming in guiding her throughout the process. She lauded the digital voting for its accessibility and convenience.

“It was very swift, I finished fast. The embassy officials were very good in attending to my request. I
enrolled then voted there using my own mobile phone. I never really had a hard time, it was easy as
long as you follow the instructions,” she said.

“At first, I was hesitant to vote online as I heard about these reports that different names appear when one enrolls, but as I went through the process, all the information about me was right,” she
said.

The Philippine Embassy to the UAE shared the information on the extended deadline on its official Facebook page.

Registered OFWs are encouraged to scan the QR code provided in the announcement to complete
their enrolment and cast their votes online.

In a subsequent post, the embassy said it will be open on the weekends of May 10 and 11, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for onsite assistance for the online overseas voting.

Aside from this,  the embassy will also provide other services from the consular section, such as the application or renewal of passports, notarization, and authentication of documents, among other services.

“All clients are advised to give adequate time to vote or have their voter status checked. The usual
offsite/remote assistance and support will be accessible through the following channels: by email:
abudhabioav@gmail.com and by call/WhatsApp:+971-50-74-1-8683 (PH-1-vote),” the statement
read.

The embassy also announced that the canvassing of votes for senatorial candidates and party-list groups is scheduled on May 12, 2025, marking the final phase of the overseas voting process.

A written notice to other members of the Special Board of Canvassers and to each candidate
for senator and political parties, organizations or coalitions participating under the party-list system
of representation shall be issued not later than 05 May 2025,” the statement read. —LDF, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.