Who may register as overseas voters?
- all citizens of the Philippines abroad who are at least eighteen (18) years of age on 13 May 2013, and who are not otherwise disqualified by law;
- Those who have reacquired o retained their Philippine citizenship under R.A. 9225 and other Filipino citizens with dual citizenship;
- Immigrants or permanent residents of other countries who are recognize as such in their host countries and executes upon filing of an application for registration as overseas voter an Affidavit of Intent to Return.
What is the difference between an Application for Registration and an Application for Certification as an overseas voter?
You file an Application for Registration as an overseas voter if you are not yet a registered voter in the Philippines. However, if you are a registered voter in the Philippines, you file for an Application for Certification as an overseas voter
What information do I need to furnish in OAVF No. 1?
OAVF No. 1. has four (4) parts:
Part 1. This part contains your Personal Circumstances. In addition, the name of your authorized representative in the Philippines must also be indicated, should you choose to appoint one.
Part 2. The Oath that you must take
Part 3. You must sign this if you are either an immigrant or a permanent resident as your registration/certification is subject to Section 5(d) of Republic Act 9189.
Part 4. This portion shall be filled up by the RERB based in the COMELEC Central Office.
Do I need to file an application to vote in absentia to be able to vote?
No, because the application to vote in absentia is already incorporated in the application form.
Where can I get OAVF No. 1 and other OAV registration forms?
From the Philippine Embassies, Consulates, Missions and other designated registration centres in the Philippines such as Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Ninoy Aquino International Airports (NAIA), Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Joint Manning Group (JMG), Philippine Transmarine Corporation (PTC) and Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA). They may also be downloadable from the websites of the COMELEC (www.comelec.gov.ph) and the Department of Foreign Affairs – Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (www.dfa-oavs.gov.ph).
When can I file my application for registration/certification as an overseas voter?
For purposes of the 13 May 2013 elections you may file your application for registration/certification as an overseas voter from 31 October 2011 to 31 October 2012. Please inquire from the Embassy, Consulates, and Missions having consular jurisdiction over the place where you reside as to the exact scheduled registration days applicable to you.
Where can I file my application for registration/certification as an overseas voter?
Before the authorized representatives of the COMELEC at the Philippine Embassies, Consulates, Foreign Service establishments and other Philippine government agencies abroad having consular jurisdiction where you temporarily reside or in specifically designated field or mobile registration areas outside the Posts. You can also file your applications at the Registration Centres in the Philippines such as Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Ninoy Aquino International Airports (NAIA), Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Joint Manning Group (JMG), Philippine Transmarine Corporation (PTC) and Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA).
What is the procedure for filing my application for registration/certification as an overseas voter?
You have to:
Personally appear at the Post that has consular jurisdiction over the locality where you temporarily reside or at the designated Registration Centres at Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Ninoy Aquino International Airports (NAIA), Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Joint Manning Group (JMG), Philippine Transmarine Corporation (PTC) and Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA);
- Accomplished OAVF No.1;
- Submit/Furnish the supporting documents;
- Submit to a biometrics capture
What does it mean to submit to a biometrics capture?
Biometrics capture means that your photograph, signature and fingerprint will be electronically recorded using special digital equipment.
If I download the OAVF No. 1 from the website of the COMELEC or the DFA-OAVS, how should I proceed with application for registration/certification as an overseas voter?
You have to:
- Accomplish OAVF No.1;
- Personally appear at the Post that has consular jurisdiction over the locality where you temporarily reside or at the designated Registration Centres at Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Ninoy Aquino International Airports (NAIA), Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Joint Manning Group (JMG), Philippine Transmarine Corporation (PTC) and Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA);
- Submit the accomplished OAVF No. 1 together with your supporting documents; and
- Submit to a biometrics capture
May I submit my accomplished OAVF No. 1 and submit myself for live capture of my biometrics on different days?
No, you may not. The accomplished OAVF No. 1 must be turned in on the same day that you intend to have your biometrics taken because even if you have submitted in your OAVF No. 1 but have not had your biometrics taken, your application will still be deemed NOT FILED.
I am a seafarer, how should I proceed with my application for registration/certification as an overseas voter?
You have to:
- Personally appear at ANY Posts or at the designated Registration Centres at Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Ninoy Aquino International Airports (NAIA), Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) and Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO);
- Accomplish OAVF No.1 indicating the specific address where you want your ballot to be sent;
- Submit the accomplished OAVF No. 1 together with your supporting documents; and
- Submit to a biometrics capture.
What documents will I present to the representatives of the COMELEC in the Embassy, Consulate, Mission or designated Registration Centres in the Philippines?
- A valid Philippine Passport. In the absence of a passport, a Certification from the Department of Foreign Affairs asserting either of the following: (1) that you have submitted documents that will warrant the issuance of a passport; (2) that the applicant is a valid passport holder but is unable to produce it for a valid reason.
- An accomplished OAVF No. 1 as prescribed by the COMELEC;
- If you are a Seafarer, a photocopy of your Seaman’s Book or any other document that will prove that you are a seafarer should also be submitted in addition to “i” and “ii” above; and,
- If you have availed of RA 9225, you should also provide a certified true copy of the signed Oath of Allegiance submitted to the Embassy/Consulate in addition to “i” and “ii” above.
The COMELEC may require additional data to establish your identity.
How will I know if my application has been approved?
You may regularly check the website of the COMELEC or DFA-OAVS if your application has been approved. You may also check with your Embassy or Consulate.
How will I know if my application has been disapproved?
You will receive a Notice of Disapproval of your application from the Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting (COAV) in Manila.
What should I do if my application has been disapproved?
Within five (5) days from receipt of the Notice of Disapproval of your application, you or your authorized representative may file a Motion for Reconsideration before the Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) of the COMELEC.
What is the Resident Election Registration Board (RERB)?
It is the Board based in the Central Office in Manila, which shall hear and act on all applications for registration/certification as overseas voter.
What if the RERB denies my Motion for Reconsideration of the disapproval of my application for registration/certification?
You may file a Petition for Inclusion with the Municipal or Metropolitan Trial Court in Manila within ten (10) days from the receipt of the notice of the denial.
What should I do if my name has been omitted, misspelled or erroneously written in the National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (NROAV)?
You may personally, or through your authorized representative, file with the COAV or with the Post having jurisdiction over the voter’s residence, an Application for Reinstatement in the NROAV by accomplishing OAVF No. 1D; or accomplish OAVF No. 1E for CORRECTION OF WRONG ENTRIES/MISSPELLED NAMES/CHANGE OF NAME & OTHER ENTRIES IN THE VOTER’S ID/NATIONAL REGISTRY OF OVERSEAS VOTERS (NROAV) and submit the same to the COAV or the Post having jurisdiction over the applicant’s residence, not later than 14 December 2012.
I registered as an overseas absentee voter in 2003 and I was able to vote in the 2004 and 2007 National Elections but was unable to vote in 2010 National Elections. Do I still need to apply for certification to vote abroad?
No, because your name is already listed in the Certified List of Overseas Absentee Voters (CLOAV) and the National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (NROAV) but if you fail to vote in the 2013 National Elections abroad, your name will be deleted from the CLOAV of your Embassy or Consulate.
I registered as an overseas voter in 2010 but I know I will be in another country come 13 May 2013. Can I vote in the 2013 elections?
Yes, you have to file a Letter-Request for Transfer of Registration Record (OAVF No. 1B) before your Embassy or Consulate.
I registered as an overseas voter in 2010 but I know I will be in the Philippines come 13 May 2013. Can I vote in the 2013 elections in the Philippines?
Yes, you have to file a Letter-Request for Transfer of Registration Record (OAVF No. 1B) before your Embassy or Consulate or before the COAV in Manila. Upon receipt of approval of the request for transfer of registration record, you have to go to the office of your local election officer and submit CEF 1B (Local Application for Transfer) and have your biometrics taken.
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