The Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates announced changes to the period of preliminary registration for online voting abroad for the 2025 elections. The original registration period was scheduled from March 10, starting on March 20 and ending on May 7, 2025. The embassy clarified that despite the complete transition to an online voting system, preliminary registration remains mandatory for all registered voters in order to vote. Voting rights are granted only to those who register before September 2024 at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.
Filipinos in the UAE can complete the online preliminary registration process via a link that will soon be provided by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). For those who face technical difficulties, polling places will be accessible at the embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai during a 30-day period abroad. The embassy invites all registered voters to check their status in the certified list of voters abroad prior to the preliminary registration period.
"Provide an active email address, an active phone number, and a valid identification issued by the Philippines during the process," the embassy clarified. The transition to the Online Voting System and Registration (OVCS) is expected to make the voting process more accessible for Filipinos abroad so they can vote using mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers, and tablets. The updated list can be found at tinyurl.com/CLOVAbuDhabi.
