In previous elections, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) had to go to either embassies or designated overseas voting centers in order to cast their votes for the next leaders of the homeland. Now, it appears that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is targeting an online voting system to reduce inconveniences or hassles for these people.

In an interview, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia mentioned that the agency has been exploring the idea for a while now and researching the budget allocation for such an endeavor. After all, these are some of the necessary first steps to bring the idea to life. The aim of this effort is to increase overseas voter turnout, which was only 31 percent in 2019 and 34 percent in 2022.

“If after the 2025 elections, we see that overseas voters patronized Internet voting and less have availed of the personal and postal voting, it is highly possible that the other two modes of voting will be phased out. If we can successfully implement Internet voting in the 2025 elections, it may eventually be the mode that will be left available,” Garcia said.

It’s also likely that having parts of the voting be online will reduce overall costs for the process altogether. That’s because there will be less active personnel, physical locations, and other resources needed onsite. This is a win-win situation for the government which is trying to be more cost-efficient with the process. Of course, the traditional methods will still be made available.

Future points of discussion would also include the Comelec making online voting an option for residents in the Philippines.

The most significant concern we can already foresee from a mile away is cybersecurity. Many citizens, especially those that don’t have faith in modern systems, will believe in hoaxes of electoral cheating – regardless of which parties host the online voting system or how secure it is. However, we don’t believe that this should be a hindrance moving forward for the convenience and benefit of all. What do you think?