Filipino citizens residing in the UAE will have the ability to cast their votes online for the forthcoming Philippine midterm elections.

 The Philippine Consulate-General in Dubai recently announced that online voter enrollment would commence on March 10, marking the first time that internet-based voting will be adopted for abroad voters. This development guarantees more involvement in the political process by trying to make the voting process more accessible for Filipinos living elsewhere.

Those qualified will be able to choose a party-list representative as well as twelve senators. To take part in the online voting system, though, they have to register ahead of time on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) voting portal between March 10 and May 12. Verifying voter identity and making sure only registered Filipino overseas voters may access the system depend on this stage. Physical voting will still be accessible at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate-General in Dubai for those unable of finishing the online enrollment process or experiencing technical problems. At these sites, special voting kiosks will be set up to serve those who might have trouble using the online system.

Comelec listed the technical specifications for online voting in a video demonstration. Voters might use a tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or mobile phone with built-in or attachable camera and internet access. The voting system is made to be interoperable with any web browser, therefore guaranteeing that the process is straightforward and handy for voters using several devices. Making the voting process as inclusive as feasible will help more Filipinos to participate regardless of their technological capacity.

Filipino citizens must be registered as overseas voters and on the official list of 77 Philippine foreign service positions approved to vote online in order to be qualified. Among the foreign postings in the Middle East helping to enable this new approach are the Philippine missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Comelec website has a whole list of the participating sites; Filipinos living in the UAE are advised to check their eligibility before registering.

Although the online registration process is simple, maintenance of election security depends on verification. Voters have to input their information and complete the online voting enrollment form. Upon completion, they will receive a one-time password (OTP) by email or mobile number, which they must input to proceed. A key first stage is identity verification, which calls for voters to upload a picture of a valid ID card after clearly capturing a facial image with the technology. They also have to log in using a brief video showing their ID. Voters will get a confirmation email or SMS once these processes are finished, therefore allowing access to the voting platform.

Before the polls shut in the Philippines at 7 p.m., (3 p.m. UAE time), the registration period runs from March 10 (Monday) to May 12 (Monday). Official links for enrollment will be shared on the websites and social media pages of Comelec and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. To help voters familiarize themselves with the process, Comelec will run an online test voting period from March 10 to April 12. This trial phase will allow voters to experience using the technology before the actual voting begins, reducing potential complications on election day. 

The official voting session for abroad Filipinos will continue for 30 days, starting on April 13 at 8 a.m. UAE time and concluding on May 12 at 3 p.m. UAE time. Registered voters will get a safe login link via email or mobile number upon actual voting starts, which will direct them to the official voting portal. Once the official election season begins, the test voting platform will be turned off to avoid uncertainty.

Comelec has set up voting stations at Philippine diplomatic missions for particular people who might find internet voting difficult so that all qualified Filipinos may take part. Senior folks, pregnant mothers, PWDs, and illiterate people will be let to use these kiosks. This step is meant to guarantee that no voter is deprived because of technical problems or personal circumstances, therefore fostering inclusiveness.

Online voting will hopefully increase voter turnout in the midterm elections, according to Filipino community leaders in the UAE. Addressing issues regarding possible cyber risks and fraud, they have also urged the Philippine government to guarantee the security of the online voting system. Consistently ranking among the top five nations with the greatest Filipino voter turnout in foreign elections is the UAE. Dubai recorded 60,393 Filipino voters during the May 2022 Philippine presidential elections, the most overseas votes sent at a single foreign service post since overseas voting started in 2004.

By use of online voting, authorities seek to simplify the election process and inspire even more active involvement. For overseas Filipinos, the new system marks a major advance in modernizing elections and facilitates their enjoyment of democratic rights even though they live far from home.