MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos overseas may register for the 2019 midterm elections starting Thursday, December 1.

This was announced by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday, November 3.

In a statement, the poll body said the registration period for overseas Filipino voters (OFVs) for the May 13, 2019 national elections and subsequent polls will be from December 1, 2016 to September 30, 2018.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10167, promulgated on October 28, Filipino citizens who are or will be abroad during the 30-day voting period, at least 18 years old on election day, and not otherwise disqualified by law may register.

Qualified voters can either secure Overseas Form No. 1 (OVF 1) at foreign posts or file online via the Comelec’s iRehistro facility.

They may also download forms from the websites of the Comelec, Department of Foreign Affairs, the poll body’s Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV), or the foreign posts.

“We encourage Filipino registrants abroad to file their applications online through the iRehistro facility,” said Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez. 

“This alternative system of registration was a major contributor to the high registration turnout for overseas voting for the May 2016 elections,” he added. 

A total of 1,376,067 OFVs registered for the May 2016 polls, an increase from the 737,759 overseas voters who registered for the 2013 midterm polls.

Meanwhile, registration for the 2019 polls for voters in the Philippines will begin on December 4, 2017, according to Comelec Resolution No. 10166.

For the upcoming 2017 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, voters’ registration will resume on Monday, November 7, 2016. – Rappler.com