The COMELEC Online Voting has started
Many OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) expressed their complaints on social media regarding the COMELEC Online Voting.
On Sunday, the Commission on Elections started its month-long internet voting for Filipinos overseas. This pushed through even though it had a challenge before the Supreme Court. The online voting will take place from 8 a.m. on Sunday (Manila time) until May 12, 7 p.m.
In previous elections, Filipinos abroad could only vote when they would have a personal appearance at designated Philippine legations or through mailed ballots. This will be the first time that internet voting will be used for Pinoys abroad.
Based on the report from Inquirer, registered voters in New Zealand will cast their votes first. The polling in that country will start on the opening day of the online voting at 4 a.m. in Manila.
Filipinos in the Honolulu consulate in the United States are the last to begin their overseas voting. OFWs have to sign up for the pre-enrollment for internet voting until May 7.
The COMELEC intended to conduct online voting to address the very low turnout of overseas absentee voting.
However, problems were aired by several OFWs on Facebook. They were asking the agency what had happened in the system. Some even claimed that they voted for someone else, but the result showed different names. Here are some posts.
Meanwhile, COMELEC also announced in a Facebook post that campaigning is not allowed on April 17, Maundy Thursday, and April 18, Good Friday. It is under the COMELEC Resolution No. 10999.
“Any election campaign or partisan political activity for or against any candidate outside of the campaign period is prohibited and shall be considered as an ELECTION OFFENSE punishable under Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code,” the agency stated.