PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

12 April 2025, CANBERRA – The Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra successfully held on 12 April 2025 the Final Lockdown and Sealing (FLS) of the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for the 2025 National Elections in the Philippines. The public was invited to witness the FLS through a notice issued by the Embassy on 03 April 2025 on the Embassy’s social media page and website.

Ambassador of the Philippines to Australia Antonio A. Morales expressed his gratitude to those who participated in the FLS. He highlighted the significance of the right to vote by every Filipino and urged everyone to work together to ensure the safe and fair conduct of elections.

Vice Consul Angela Kristel Laurente led the proceedings of the FLS as Chairman of the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI). She stated that the FLS is an important component of the election process to demonstrate the transparency and efficiency of the OVCS.

The General Election containing the actual digital ballots for the online voting for the 2025 National Elections in the Philippines can be accessed by all pre-enrolled voters on 13 April 2025, 8:00 am Canberra time. Voting will end on 12 May 2025, 7:00 pm Philippine time or 9:00 pm Canberra time for overseas voters.

Registered overseas Filipino voters included in the Certified List of Voters (CLOV) may participate in the Philippine elections. To check if you are eligible, please visit https://tinyurl.com/PHElection2025.

Registered overseas Filipino voters must then pre-enroll online first before voting through the COMELEC-provided link: https://ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll.

Using their own internet-capable device or utilizing a voting kiosk at the Post, all registered overseas voters who have successfully enrolled may vote for Senators and one (1) accredited party / organization or coalition under the party-list system on this link: ov.comelec.gov.ph/vote.

The Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) approved the system of internet / online voting to make it easier for Filipinos and entice overseas Filipinos all over the world to exercise their right of suffrage. It will be used for the first time in the 2025 National Elections Overseas but only for overseas voters registered in 77 Foreign Service Posts.

For more information, you may visit: https://info-ov.comelec.gov.ph/faqs and https://www.facebook.com/overseasvotingph. - END