Comelec inviting overseas voters to participate in internet voting test run

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is inviting overseas voters to participate in the test run of four internet voting solutions by different election systems providers.

According to Comelec, the overseas voters who will participate should have an active voter registration status, which means their registration should not have been deactivated for failure to vote in two previous elections in 2016 and 2019. 

They should also have complete biometrics data, including photograph, fingerprints, and signature, according to Comelec.

“In compliance with our data privacy policy, interested participants will be required to email us their signed consent form, together with a copy of their passport or seafarer’s book. We advise that they only send these documents to our official email address at [email protected],” Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada, director of the Comelec’s Office for Overseas Voting, said in a statement on Monday.

A smartphone capable of running Android or iOS applications, a laptop or personal computer, or any mobile device with internet or data access is required in order to participate in the test run, the Comelec added. 

Further instructions to sign-up for the test run has been posted at the Facebook page of the Office for Overseas Voting. 

The Comelec said test voters may sign up until 8 a.m. (Manila time) on February 12, 2021. 

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