46,442 Pinoys abroad register for next polls

MANILA, Philippines — Over 46,000 Filipinos staying overseas have registered to be able to participate in the next national elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Since the opening of the reception of applications for overseas voters on Dec. 9, 2022, the running total of registration turnout as of July 6 is 46,442,” the Comelec reported over the weekend.

The poll body said the highest number of applicants came from North and Latin Americas with 16,851, followed by those in the Middle East and Africa with 11,011 applicants.

There were also 8,921 applicants from Asia-Pacific and another 7,055 from Europe. Another 2,604 applicants filed their applications with the Comelec’s Office for Overseas Voting.

The Comelec set the filing period for the applications for overseas voter registration from December 2022 until September 2024.

The Comelec previously signed a memorandum of agreement with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas for the re-establishment of local field registration centers for overseas voting within the CFO’s premises.

Those qualified to register as overseas voters are Filipinos abroad who are not otherwise disqualified by law and are at least 18 years old by May 12, 2025.

Applications may be filed at any Philippine post abroad, at designated registration centers outside the Philippine post or in the country.