Comelec warns ‘flying voters’

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday warned would-be “flying voters” of the legal consequences of their actions. 

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudianco said that in 2023, around 100,000 voters intentionally tried to register twice. 

“Ang pagrerehistro po ng dalawa o higit pang beses para ang maging purpose  po ay maging flying voter ay pinaparusahan ng batas bilang election offense, may pagkakakulong po ito ng isa hanggang anim na taon, pagkakatanggal ng karapatang bumoto at pagpataw po ng perpetual disqualification to hold public office. Hindi na po kayo makakabalik sa pamahalaan, kahit anong posisyon, mataas man o mababa, elected man o appointee,” said Laudiangco in the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon Public briefing. 

(Registering twice with the purpose of becoming a flying voter is punishable by law as an election offense, with imprisonment of one to six years, removal of the right to vote or the perpetual disqualification to hold public office. You cannot return to the government, no matter what the position, elected or appointed.) 

Laudianco guaranteed that the Comelec would be able to go after “flying voters”. 

He added that the use of fingerprint technology will help the agency figure out double registrants. 

The Comelec is making preparations for the 2025 midterm elections.