Overseas voter registration still suspended

MANILA, Philippines — Overseas voter registration for next year’s elections remains suspended, even for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) currently in Metro Manila and its adjoining provinces, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

“Overseas voter registration activities at our local field registration centers remain suspended from 1 - 14 May 2021 due to the MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) status in the NCR Plus area,” the Comelec Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) said.

Among these are the Comelec-OFOV Office in Intramuros, Manila; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)-Aseana Building in Parañaque City; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Building on Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City; and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina)-SM Manila Satellite Office.

But the Comelec-OFOV is open to serve registered overseas voters and overseas voting registrants with urgent and emergency travel needs that require OV-related certifications.

“For the safety of the transacting public and our personnel, the OFOV will be attending to applicants with urgent travel needs, strictly by appointment only,” the Comelec-OFOV noted.

Applicants may contact the OFOV through its official email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected] or through their mobile numbers: +63 951 875 9882 (Smart/Sun/TNT), or +63 905 034 5158 (Globe/TM).

Overseas voter registration activities in the country have been suspended since March 29, following the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.