Advisories & News
Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL OFFICIALLY OPENS OVERSEAS VOTING
2025-04-14
(Left to right) Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI) Chair Kerwin C. Orville Tate, SBEI Poll clerk Ms. Jane Ranga and Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group Chair Rodney Jonas Sumague show the status report of the Final Lockdown and Sealing to the attendees
13 April 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto officially opened overseas voting at 8:00 a.m. (Toronto time). Overseas voting for the 2025 Philippine national elections is being conducted through internet voting for the first time.
Prior to the opening of polls, the Consulate General successfully conducted the Final Lockdown and Sealing (FLS) of the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) to be used for overseas voting at 4:00 p.m. on 11 April 2025. The purpose of the FLS is to ensure that the OVCS machine to be used for internet voting contains zero votes prior to the official start of voting. Personnel of the Consulate General and Mr. Luisito Queano, media observer for Radyo Migrante, witnessed the FLS.
Registered overseas Filipino voters can now vote anywhere and anytime using any device connected to the internet until 7:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on 12 May 2025. Seniors, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, technologically challenged persons and those who do not have the acceptable Philippine IDs for the pre-voting enrolment may be assisted by the Consulate.
Ms. Imelda Fenandez Axibal, an education assistant based in Toronto and one of those who needed assistance, arrived at the Consulate General around 8:30 a.m. on 13 April and was the first to vote using the voting kiosk. “I am excited to cast my vote and perform my civic duty”, said Ms. Axibal, who re-acquired her Filipino citizenship last April 2024.
Registered overseas Filipino voters are encouraged to vote early and not to wait until the last minute. For further information, queries, clarifications and technical support on overseas voting, voters may visit the COMELEC’s Internet Voting information page: https://info-ov.comelec.gov.ph/ or send an email to the Consulate General through pcgtoronto.ov@gmail.com.
Ms. Imelda Fernandez Axibal (left) casts her vote assisted by SBEI Chair Tate (right)
Mr. Luisito Queano (rightmost), media observer for Radyo Migrante, observes the writing of the minutes of the Final Lockdown and Sealing (FLS)