Comelec begins accepting applications for local absentee voting

This is a voting precinct set up in Camp Crame for absentee voters back in 2013. (File photo JAMIE ELONA)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now accepting applications of those who are qualified to avail of absentee voting in the upcoming national elections, the poll body said in a statement on Wednesday.

Government officials and employees and including members of military and police and media practitioners are the ones only allowed to avail of the program.

Those sectors could avail of the program given that they are duly registered voters whose records have not been deactivated. They also have to be temporarily assigned to perform election duties.

The local absentee voters’ forms — LAV Form 101 — could be downloaded at the Comelec website and will also be distributed to respective government offices and media corporations.

Applicants must submit their form not later than March 7, 2022.

The form could be submitted to the heads of offices/supervisors/commanders/officers next-in-rank for government officials and employees and members of the police and the military and the Office of the Regional Election Director for localities in the National Capital Region, or the Office of the Election Officer in case of highly urbanized or independent cities outside NCR, or the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for all other areas, in case of media voters.

Media voters must also accomplish and submit LAV Form 02, while freelance journalists must present a certification under oath stating that they have valid assignments from bona fide media organizations, attaching proof.

Local absentee voting is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.on April 27, 28, and 29 next year.

Absentee voters could only vote for national positions — that is, those of the president, vice president, senators, and party list representatives.

ATM