Overseas Filipino voters who have previously applied for registration and certification no longer need to renew.
There are two types of overseas voter applications for Filipinos residing abroad — the application for registration which covers those who are not yet registered as voters in the Philippines, and the application for certification which covers those who are already registered as voters in the Philippines but have yet to change their status to overseas voters.
Qualified applicants include those who are at least 18 years old by May 13, 2019, as well as those who have reacquired or retained their Philippine citizenship. Filipino citizens with dual citizenships are also qualified.
Applicants in the UAE need to visit the embassy in Abu Dhabi or the consulate in Dubai during office hours and bring the following documents:
a. An accomplished OVF No. 1 (Overseas Absentee Voting Form) which is available for download from the website of the COMELEC (www.comelec.gov.ph) or the Department of Foreign Affairs – Overseas Voting Secretariat (www.dfa-oavs.gov.ph).
b. A valid Philippine Passport. In the absence of a passport, a Certification from the Department of Foreign Affairs certifying either of the following:
(1) that you have submitted documents that will warrant the issuance of a passport;
(2) that the applicant is a valid passport holder but is unable to produce it for a valid reason.
c. If you are a Seafarer, a photocopy of your Seaman’s Book or any other document that will prove that you are a seafarer should also be submitted in addition to “a” and “b” above; and
d. other documents should the officials need further verification on the identity of the applicant.
The list of approved applicants is available on COMELEC’s website and the Embassy and Consulate while disapproved applicants will receive a Notice of Disapproval by mail or other mode of contact.
Overseas voter registration ends on September 30.
The 2019 midterm elections will begin in the UAE on April 13, 2019 and will run until May 13, 2019. OFWs will elect 12 senators and one partylist representative,
