Elections Commissioner Armando Velasco told the reporters that the poll body is looking into the possibility of Filipinos working abroad voting through the Internet so that they can do it in the convenience of their homes or offices.
“Actually, one problem kasi sa low participation is iyong convenience. If we can address ang kanilang [problema sa]convenience, I believe they will participate” Velasco said.
During past elections, he noted that many Filipinos abroad registered as overseas absentee voters (OAVs).
However, Velasco said that few of the registered OAVs actually vote.
During the 2004 national elections, there were 359,296 registered OAVs but only 233,137 voted; in the 2007 midterm polls, the registered OAVs increased to 504,124 but only 81,732 actually voted; while in the 2010 automated national polls, the number only increased a little to 589,830 registered OAVs with only 153,323 actually
voting.
“[Kapag] Internet, bahay lang or office [maari ng mag-register at bumoto] kaya siguro maraming magpa-participate,” he said.
“Iyong ngayon kasi, personal [ang pag-boto], pupunta ka pa doon sa embassy o kaya postal voting” he added.
He noted that even the House of Representatives has approved Internet voting and registration if the Comelec can prove the security features of the computer software that it will use.
“Kung sila talaga ang boboto, mabuti pero baka mamaya ma-hack. Magamit ng iba,” he said.
So far there is no law that allows Internet registration and voting, but Velasco, who heads the OAV program, sought amendments to Republic Act (RA) 9189, or An Act Providing For a System Of Overseas Absentee Voting By Qualified Citizens of the Philippines Abroad.
“[So far], wala sa batas, so there must be an amendment to the law including use of the Internet. Mahirap na,” he stressed.
The OAV registration for the 2013 midterm elections will start on October 31 and will end on October 31, 2012.
RA 9189 clearly states that “All citizens of the Philippines abroad, regardless of their immigration status, can participate in Philippine elections through OAV.”
In Section 8, Filipinos abroad who want to register are required to furnish a valid Philippine passport; accomplished registration form prescribed by the Commission containing: 1) the last known residence of the applicant in the Philippines before leaving for abroad; 2) address of applicant abroad, or forwarding address in the case of seamen and 3) where voting by mail is allowed, the applicant’s mailing address outside the Philippines where the ballot for absentee voters will be sent.
(Sara Fabunan)
