Comelec: Issues hound online voting system

MANILA, Philippines — Some issues have been observed in the online voting and counting system (OVCS), which is set to be pilot-tested during the May 2025 overseas voting, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Monday.

According to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, they have been informed of several issues observed during the trial period for OVCS, including the difficulty in the system of enrollment of overseas voters.

“There are instances where those trying the system cannot successfully enroll. It needed three to four tries before they could register. We don’t want that because voters may lose interest,” he said in an interview.

Garcia said a “good voting system” should register an eligible voter on the first try.

He said the joint venture of SMS Global Technologies Inc. and Sequent Tech Inc., which is the supplier of OVCS, has committed to address the issues by Jan. 3 next year.

The Comelec intends to implement internet voting in the 2025 midterm elections.

The system will require registered overseas voters to undergo pre-enrollment, which will run from Feb. 12 to May 12, 2025, for them to be able to cast their votes.

Overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12, 2025.

The Comelec said 76 Philippine posts are set to use internet voting while the remaining 17 will use automated counting machines.