DFA to Test On-Line Voter Registration

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the pilot-testing of online registration for absentee voters, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The DFA-Overseas Voting Secretariat said the Comelec, through Resolution No. 9903, approved the piloting of the ”iRehistro Project” for overseas voter registration.

The pilot testing will be implemented by the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, Spain starting on the first week of November. The testing will last for one month, covering both sea-based and land-based registrants.

”Within thirty days of its initial implementation, Madrid PE shall submit its report and recommendation on the viability to continue the implementation of the project,” the DFA said.

”If the pilot iRehistro Project is found to be viable, other Philippine foreign service posts may then request for inclusion in the project.”

The DFA said the opening of more overseas voter registration centers and the full implementation of internet registration ”will help sustain the momentum towards reaching the ambitious but statistically attainable goal of one million new overseas voter registrants by October 31, 2015.”

”At the current pace of registration, we could have an overseas voter stock of over two million for the 2016 presidential elections. Attaining this goal can definitely be a game changer,” said Office of Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis.

All Filipino citizens who expect to be abroad during the 30-day (April 9 – May 9, 2016) overseas voting period for the 2016 elections, at least 18 years old on May 9, 2016, and not disqualified by law, may register as an overseas voter.

(Source: ABS_CBN News)