By Jacob Delos Santos
Amid questions about the 2025 overseas digital voting, the Philippines’ Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to implement changes for the 2028 national elections, urging UK Filipinos to register during an information session at the Philippine Embassy in London on 18 July.
Much of the confusion stemmed from the encrypted digital receipt displayed after a ballot was submitted, Comelec’s Office for Overseas Voting Director IV Ian Michel G. Geonanga told Tinig UK when asked about transparency and trust in digital voting.
For the 2028 elections, voters will instead receive a receipt resembling a traditional ballot paper, clearly displaying the candidates they selected. Officials said this change is intended to improve transparency and reduce misunderstandings.
They also noted that manual audits conducted in locations, including Dubai and New Zealand confirmed 100 percent accuracy between the automated and manually verified results.
Voters’ personal information is not stored on the online voting platform, Comelec Executive Director and Data Protection Officer Teopisto E. Elnas Jr. said. Only encrypted ballots are transmitted electronically, while voter records remain securely held within Comelec’s own databases, he added.
Voters can register online, but new applicants still in person
With the launch of iRehistro, Comelec’s new online voter registration platform, applicants can now complete registration forms online before attending an appointment at the Embassy or an outreach registration event, Comelec Director IV Jeannie V. Flororita said.
She explained that the system removes handwritten forms, reduces errors caused by illegible writing, automatically checks that mandatory fields have been completed and speeds up processing using QR code technology.
Applicants can also select appointments based on schedules set by Philippine Embassies and Consulates, making registration more convenient for overseas workers.
However, Comelec stressed that iRehistro does not replace in-person registration. New applicants must still appear in person to verify their identity and provide biometrics, although proposals to allow fully online registration are being considered.
Officials reminded attendees that overseas voter registration will remain open until 30 September 2027 and encouraged eligible Filipinos not to wait until the deadline.
What about voters from Wales, Scotland? Or passports being held?
Attendees from Wales and Scotland raised concerns about travelling long distances to London simply to register, while others asked about passport requirements for applicants whose documents are being held by the UK Home Office during immigration applications.
Comelec acknowledged these difficulties, confirming that the Philippine Embassy will continue organising mobile outreach registration activities across the UK where possible.
Officials also advised applicants whose passports are temporarily unavailable because they are being renewed or retained for immigration purposes to contact the Embassy, which may be able to issue supporting certifications depending on individual circumstances.
Community engagement featured prominently throughout the conference. Audience members proposed organising local voter education sessions where volunteers could help less confident voters complete iRehistro using laptops.
Comelec welcomed the idea, encouraging community organisations to work with the Philippine Embassy to deliver outreach events, online town halls and voter assistance sessions.
Prioritising UK, Europe’s biggest Filipino voting population
Comelec identified the UK as its key priority in the coming elections. London recorded the highest overseas voter turnout in the European region during the 2025 Philippine midterm elections, with more than 4,000 Filipinos casting their ballots.
Officials said that success reflected both the community’s commitment to democratic participation and the impact of introducing internet voting for overseas electors.
Comelec Commissioner Aimee P. Ferolino credited technological innovations, including the introduction of online voting and automated counting systems. This made participation more accessible for the estimated 200,000 Filipinos currently living in the United Kingdom, “one of the largest Filipino diasporas across the European continent”, she said.
Embassy officials described the Comelec’s visit as part of their shared commitment to ensure every eligible overseas Filipino has the opportunity to register and vote in the 2028 Philippine elections.
Geonanga urged overseas Filipinos to stay connected through Comelec’s overseas voting social media channels.
“We actually reply to your DMs, so please message us about any enquiries on voting procedures,” he said. “We want to hear from you. Tell us what help your community needs, organise with us, and let us know.”
For more updates, follow Comelec on Facebook or visit their official site: https://comelec.gov.ph/.
About the author
Jacob Delos Santos
Jacob Delos Santos is a Filipino Sexual Health Specialist for Brook, UK. A Masters graduate from SOAS University in London, and a medical physiology alumni from the University of Leicester, he has lived and studied in the UK since age 4. A former biology researcher, he now works as a RSE facilitator, covering topics on contraception, STI’s, and intersectionality across Camden & Islington. His freelance writing has appeared in Filipino-British and University media outlets. With Tinig UK, he is interested in reporting on political, tech and misinformation stories, both domestically and abroad.
