MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended the deadline for applying for local absentee voting (LAV) in the upcoming May 12 polls, granting more time for eligible voters to submit their applications.

In Resolution No. 11120, the Comelec en banc moved the deadline for LAV applications from March 10 to March 17. 

The extension was granted in response to multiple requests from government agencies, offices, and departments. 

The poll body also cited the observance of Holy Week from April 17 to 20 as a factor in its decision to amend the earlier guidelines under Resolution No. 11091.

Applicants must submit the original copies of LAV Form No. 01 and LAV Form No. 02 by the new deadline, March 17, 2025.

Other key deadlines were also adjusted: the verification of LAV applicants’ eligibility was moved from April 8 to April 11, while the transmittal of the list of qualified LAV voters from the Committee on LAV was rescheduled from April 21 to April 27.

Local absentee voting allows certain individuals, including government officials and employees, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), and accredited media personnel, to cast their votes ahead of the general public.

LAV voters will only be allowed to vote for senators and party-list organizations, with the voting period set from April 28 to 30.