MANILA, Philippines — As overseas voting kicks off this April 13, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is optimistic that more Filipinos abroad will cast their votes this year, especially with the introduction of Internet voting in most foreign posts.

In a state report, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia expressed hope that at least half of the 1.321 million registered overseas voters would participate in the month-long electoral exercise.

“I hope we can at least get 50 percent of the 1.321 million voters because we are introducing Internet voting,” Garcia said in an interview on Saturday.

Of the 93 embassies and consulates worldwide, 77 are now equipped to implement Internet voting, allowing Filipinos to vote using their smartphones, tablets, or laptops.

Garcia urged overseas Filipinos who have yet to register for the online platform to enroll through ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll. So far, around 40,000 voters have signed up to use the new voting method. Once registered, voters will receive unique credentials enabling them to log in and vote remotely.

“This Internet voting is a huge benefit, especially for our fellow seafarers since they no longer need to dock at a port to vote because even if they are on the ship, if they have a cellphone, laptop, iPad, they can vote,” he said.

The Comelec chair assured voters of the security of the system.

“Is it protected? Yes, we guarantee it. It has passed all international certifications, all source code reviews, and at the same time, we have also installed all kinds of security,” Garcia said.

For countries that do not permit Internet voting, such as China and Russia, Comelec will deploy automated counting machines (ACMs) to 13 diplomatic posts.

“Those 13 posts, they do not want to use their Internet voting, like China, Russia, etc., and therefore, we will bring the machines,” Garcia added.

In the last national elections held in 2022, 40.59 percent of the 1.687 million overseas voters cast their ballots — the highest turnout in Philippine history for overseas voting.

This year’s overseas voting runs until May 12, 2025, at 7 p.m. Philippine Standard Time. Registered voters abroad will be selecting national officials only — specifically, 12 senators and one party-list group. (PNA)