We are calling on all qualified Filipino citizens to register for overseas voting (OV) and let their voices be heard in the May 2022 Philippine national elections.
From the original deadline of 30 September, the new deadline for overseas voting registration has been extended by 14 days to 14 October 2021.
Despite the extended lockdowns necessitated by the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the Consulate remains open for overseas voting registration.
Personal appearance at the Consulate is subject to the following rules:
- Registrations will be conducted Tuesday to Friday, between 10 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.
- To prevent crowding, only ten (10) applicants shall be allowed inside the premises at any single time.
- All registration applicants are therefore strictly required, ahead of their visit, to book an appointment by sending an email to OVReg.Melbourne@gmail.com, indicating your full name and preferred day/date and time.
- You will receive an email either confirming your preferred time slot or offering a new one, depending on availability.
- Everyone is also required to pre-register using the COVID-SAFE QUESTIONNAIRE on the Consulate’s webiste melbournepcg.dfa.gov.ph.
We reiterate that it is the solemn duty of every qualified Filipino to participate in the democratic process, particularly in electing the most qualified individuals to the highest positions in the land. It is not a coercive, legally-enforceable duty, but it is nonetheless a moral duty, in keeping with our highest democratic traditions.
Let’s regard every coming election in the country as the most important one. The May 2022 elections, wherein we shall elect the President and the Vice-President, among others, should be no different.
Unlike in previous OV registrations, there are now various options available, depending on the status of the applicant – whether for registration, certification, transfer from one foreign service post to another, or a simple update in their voting records, such as to change address, name or civil status.
Although applicants for registration (refers to first-time registration as a voter) and certification (refers to transfer of voting records from the Philippines to a foreign service post) are still required to make a personal appearance, other applicants may be able to do their transactions remotely. Visit the COMELEC Virtual Frontline Service for Overseas Voters on Facebook, or I-Rehistro website.
These innovations allow for a safe and convenient transaction and do away with the need to travel and be in crowded places, which is very important nowadays, with the COVID-19 situation still largely out of control.
Steps to follow to register for overseas voting
Step 1
Accomplish the application form (available at the Consulate and online, at the COMELEC I-Rehistro website (this is searchable online);
Step 2
Prepare a document proving one’s Philippine citizenship, age (must be at least 18 by 9 May 2022) and identity. This can be your Philippine passport or any other document proving eligibility for Philippine passport issuance, and their dual citizenship documents in the case of dual citizens.
Step 3
Present both the application form and supporting document to OV staff at the Consulate; and
Step 4
Submit yourself for biometric capture.
It is a small sacrifice to make if you really look at it. We know there is a raging pandemic, and there are continuing risks of exposure. But if taking part in a democracy and helping secure the future of our country by electing the right leaders is as important to you as it was to our forefathers who fought and sacrificed for self-governance, then taking these steps is certainly a miniscule price to pay.
The deadline, we repeat, is 14 October. Let’s make the most out of the little time left. Tell your family members, friends, acquaintances, neighbours and all qualified Filipinos you know.
Let’s all sign up, vote and make our numbers count.
READ MORE
- All you need to know about overseas voting
- Family in the Philippines receives damaged balikbayan boxes from Australia
- Citizenship law: The child of a Filipino is a Filipino, regardless of place of birth
