Abu Dhabi: The Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported a positive turnout on the first day of online voting for overseas Filipinos over the weekend. In a statement on Monday, Philippine Ambassador to UAE Alfonso Ferdinand Ver said the online voting, however, started with some technical issues. "But we were not deterred and these issues were addressed by the 24/7 tech support of the Comelec (Commission on Elections)," he said.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ambassador Ver commented on the initial results of the online voting process, expressing a sense of optimism regarding the level of participation. Although specific numbers were not disclosed, he highlighted that the turnout was promising. Importantly, it contributed to a faster rate of online enrollment, which remains open until May 7, 2025.

The embassy facilitated the process by assisting Filipinos with enrollment for the online voting system before they cast their votes. Ambassador Ver noted that, unlike previous systems, there was no need to manage long queues of voters at the embassy, underscoring the efficiency of the new online system. "This proves that online voting is the way to go for our community in the UAE. The online voting system is indeed not just a practical and easy way but at the same time secure and credible," he remarked.

He mentioned that the enrollment figures for online voting are currently "hovering at 5 percent" of the total number of registered voters, which stands at 66,001 in Abu Dhabi. Ambassador Ver emphasized the importance of participation, urging registered voters to enroll and cast their votes. He called on the community to demonstrate the influence and involvement of overseas Filipinos in strengthening democratic processes and contributing to the future of the Philippines.