OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING Frequently Asked Questions

1.      Who may register as overseas absentee voters?

1. a)All citizens of the Philippines abroad who are at least eighteen (18) years of age on 13 May 2013 and who are not otherwise disqualified by law;
2. b)Those who have reacquired or retained their Philippine citizenship under R.A. 9225 and other Filipino citizens with dual citizenship;
3. c)Immigrants or permanent residents of other countries who are recognized as such in their host countries.

Dual citizens and immigrants must sign the Affidavit of Intent to Return upon filing an application for registration or certification as an overseas absentee voter.

1. 2.What is the difference between an Application for Registration and an Application for Certification as an overseas absentee voter (OAV)?

You file an Application for Registration as an overseas absentee voter if you are not yet a registered voter in the Philippines. You also need to file for an Application for Registration if you had registered as OAV before but have failed to vote in the last two consecutive National Elections.

However, if you are a registered voter in the Philippines, you file an Application for Certification as an overseas absentee voter.

1. 3.What information do I need to furnish in OAVF No.1 ?

OAVF No. 1 has four (4) parts:

Part I.        This part contains your Personal Circumstances. In addition, the name of your authorized representative in the Philippines must also be indicated, should you choose to appoint one.

Part II.       The Oath that you must take.

Part III.      You must sign this if you are either a dual citizen or an immigrant or permanent resident as your registration/ certification is subject to Section 5(d) of Republic Act 9189.

Part IV.      This portion shall be filled up by the representative of the COMELEC at your Embassy or Consulate.

1. 4.Do I need to file an application to vote in absentia to be able to vote?

No, because the application to vote in absentia is already incorporated in the application form.

1. 5.Where can I get OAVF No. 1 and other OAV registration forms?

From the Philippine Embassies and Consulates. They may also be downloaded from the websites of the COMELEC (www.comelec.gov.ph) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ovearseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS)(www.dfa-oavs.gov.ph).

1. 6.When can I file my application for registration/certification as an overseas absentee voter?

You may file your application for registration/ certification as an overseas absentee voter with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh from 12 November 2011 until 31 October 2012.

1. 7.Where can I file the application for registration/certification as an overseas absentee voter?

Before the authorized representatives of the COMELEC at the Philippine Embassies and Consulates, foreign service establishments and other Philippine government agencies abroad having jurisdiction where you temporarily reside or in specifically designated field or mobile registration areas outside the Posts.

1. 8.What is the procedure for the filing of an application for registration/certification as an overseas absentee voter?

You have to:

1. a.Personally appear at the Post that has consular jurisdiction over the locality where you temporarily reside;
2. b.Accomplish OAVF No. 1;
3. c.Submit/furnish the supporting documents; and,
4. d.Submit to a biometrics capture.

1. 9.What does it mean to submit to a biometrics capture?

Biometrics capture means that your photograph, signature, and right thumbmark will be electronically recorded using special digital equipment.

1. 10.If I download the OAVF No. 1 from the website of the COMELEC or the DFA, how should I proceed with the application for registration/certification as an overseas absentee voter?

You have to:

1. a.Accomplish OAVF No. 1;
2. b.Personally appear at the Post that has consular jurisdiction over the locality where you temporarily reside;
3. c.Submit the accomplished OAVF No. 1 together with your supporting documents; and,
4. d.Submit to biometrics capture.

11.    May I submit my accomplished OAVF No. 1 and submit myself for live capture of my biometrics on different days?

No, you may not. The accomplished OAVF No. 1 must be turned in on the same day that you intend to have your biometrics taken because even if you have submitted in your OAVF No.1 but have not had your biometrics taken, your application will still be deemed NOT FILED.

12.    I am a seafarer. How should I proceed with my application for registration/certification as an overseas absentee voter?

1. a)Personally appear at ANY Post;
2. b)Accomplish OAVF No. 1 indicating the specific address where you want your ballot to be sent;
3. c)Submit the accomplished OAVF No. 1 together with your supporting documents; and,
4. d)Submit to biometrics capture.

13.    What documents will I present to the representative of the COMELEC in the Embassy or the Consulate?

1. a)A valid Philippine passport. In the absence of a passport, a Certification from the Department of Foreign Affairs asserting either of the following: b)An accomplished OAVF No. 1 as prescribed by the COMELEC;
   1. 1.that you have submitted documents that will warrant the issuance of a passport; or
   2. 2.that the applicant is a valid passport holder but is unable to produce it for a valid reason.
3. c)If you are a Seafarer, a photocopy of your Seaman’s Book or any other document that will prove that you are a seafarer should also be submitted in addition to “a” and “b” above; and,
4. d)If you have availed of RA 9225, you should also submit the original or certified true copy of the Order of Approval of your application to retain or reacquire your Filipino citizenship issued by the Philippine Embassy, Consulate, or the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in addition to “a” and ”b” above.

The COMELEC may require additional data to establish your identity.

14.    How will I know if my application has been approved?

You may regularly check the website of the COMELEC if your application has been approved. You may also check with your Embassy or Consulate.

15.    How will I know if my application has been disapproved?

You will receive a Notice of Disapproval of your application from the Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting (COAV) in Manila.

16.    What should I do if my application for registration/ certification has been disapproved?

Within five (5) days from receipt of the Notice of Disapproval of our application, you or your authorized representative may file a Motion for Reconsideration before the Resident Election Registration Board (RERB) of the COMELEC.

17.    What is the Resident Election Registration Board (RERB)?

It is the Board based in the Central Office in Manila, which shall hear and act on all applications for registration/certification as overseas absentee voter.

18.    What if the RERB denies my Motion for Reconsideration of the disapproval of my application for registration/ certification?

You may file a Petition for Inclusion with the Municipal or Metropolitan Trial Court in Manila within Ten (10) days from receipt of the notice of the denial.

19.    What should I do if my name has been omitted from the National Registry of Absentee Voters (NROAV)?

Make sure you were able to vote in the last two consecutive National Elections as an Overseas Absentee Voter. If you are certain and your name has been omitted, you have to file an Application for Reinstatement in the National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (OAVF 1D) in person at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh on or before 31 October 2012.

1. 20.What should I do if my name has been misspelled or erroneously written in the NROAV?

For misspelled or erroneous entries in the NROAV, you have to file an Application for Correction of Wrong Entries/Misspelled Names/Change of Name and Other Entries in the Voter’s ID/ National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (OAVF 1E) in person at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh on or before 31 October 2012.

21.    I registered as an overseas absentee voter in 2009 and I was able to vote in the 2010 National Elections. Do I still need to apply for certification to vote abroad?

No, because your name is already listed in the Certified List of Overseas Absentee Voters (CLOAV) and the National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (NROAV).

22.    I registered as an overseas absentee voter in 2009 and I was NOT able to vote in the 2010 National Elections, do I need to register again to vote abroad?

No, because your name is still in the CLOAV. But if you fail to vote in the 2013 elections abroad, your name will be deleted from the CLOAV of your Embassy or Consulate.

23.    I registered as an overseas absentee voter in 2006, but I failed to vote during the 2007 and 2010 National Elections, can I vote in the 2013 National Elections abroad?

         No. If you failed to vote in the last two consecutive National Elections as an Overseas Absentee Voter, your name has been deleted from the Certified List of Overseas Absentee Voters (CLOAV). You therefore need to file an Application for Registration at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh on or before 31 October 2012.

24.    I registered as an overseas absentee voter in 2009, but I know I will be in another country come May 13, 2013. Can I vote in the 2013 elections?

Yes. You have to file a Letter-Request for Transfer of Registration Record (OAVF No. 1B) before your Embassy or Consulate.

25.    I registered as an overseas absentee voter in 2009, but I know I will be in the Philippines come May 13, 2013. Can I vote in the 2013 elections in the Philippines?

Yes. You have to file a Letter-Request for Transfer of Registration Record (OAVF No. 1B) before the COAV in Manila. Upon receipt of approval of the request for transfer of registration record, you have to go to the office of your local election officer and submit CEF 1B (Local Application for Transfer) and have your biometrics taken.

For more information on Overseas Absentee Voter (OAV) Registration at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, please call Attaché Maribeth Ferrer at (01) 480-1918 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . END

2011/oav/rdg