Digital voter’s ID to be issued to overseas voters – Comelec

MOTHBALLED since 2018, the voter’s ID of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is making a comeback in the 2025 polls.

In a statement, the Comelec announced the return of the voter’s ID but said this will be in digital version and will be limited only to overseas voters.

“The Commission has approved the issuance of the digital voter’s ID in order to ease their participation in the pilot internet voting in the forthcoming elections,” said Comelec chairman George Garcia.

“Overseas voters may now secure a digital voter’s ID to serve as an alternative valid ID, for purposes of enrollment in the pilot internet voting in the 2025 national and local elections,” he added.

According to the poll chief, overseas voters may request for their digital identification cards by sending an email to the Commission.

“There will be a dedicated email address for the overseas voter to send an email request,” said Garcia.

To recall, the Comelec is set to introduce the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) come the 2025 overseas voting.

Using the OVCS will require pre-enrolment or pre-registration of overseas voters, which will run from February 12, 2025 to May 12, 2025.

Pre-enrolment or pre-registration shall require the submission of information and government-issued identification documents.

The poll body said the digital voter’s ID may be presented as an alternative government-issued valid ID, in case the Philippine Passport or Seafarer’s Identification Record Book are not available.

Since 2018, the generation and distribution of physical voter’s IDs have been halted by the Comelec.