Manila: Majority of Philippine posts overseas will be using Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for the May 12 national and local elections.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released the final specific modes of overseas voting, confirming that 77 out of 93 posts abroad will adopt the OVCS. This system is being introduced for the first time in the upcoming midterm polls.

The implementation of the OVCS is facilitated by a Joint Venture of SMS Global Technologies, Inc. and Sequent Tech Inc. Comelec chairperson George Garcia has encouraged overseas voters to utilize the internet voting system during its trial period. "Try to test voting experience online to familiarize yourselves with this easy process," Garcia advised in a telephone interview.

The Comelec has also indicated that 16 Philippine embassies and consulates general will use automated counting machines (ACMs) for voting. These locations include Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Xiamen in China; Dili in Timor Leste; Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea; Yangon in Myanmar; Ankara and Istanbul in Turkiye; Moscow in Russia; Abuja in Nigeria; Beirut in Lebanon; Damascus in Syria; Tehran in Iran; and Tripoli in Libya. The ACMs will facilitate voting through either personal or postal modes.

"Our ACM units are easy to use. Don't fail to vote. Voting experience is enhanced," Garcia stated, emphasizing the user-friendly nature of the machines. A total of 1.180 million registered voters are expected to participate in the overseas voting process.

The overseas voting period is scheduled from April 13 to May 12. Voters will be casting their ballots for national positions only, which include 12 senators and one party-list group.