Comelec eyes local absentee voting expansion for Eleksyon 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) plans to expand the local absentee voting (LAV) system to include more government workers, especially healthcare professionals, for the 2025 national and local elections (NLE).

“Gusto natin ito i-expand. Ibig sabihin mas maraming empleyado ng pamahalaan ang nakakapag-avail ng LAV,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia told reporters on Friday.

(We aim to expand this initiative to allow more government employees to avail of LAV.)

“Lalo na sa healthcare sector na alam naman natin nakadeploy sila nang mas maaga pag nagkakaroon ng halalan… Sana ‘yung ibang ahensya rin na kalimitan may trabaho na ginagawa na patungkol sa halalan, marapat sana na makagawa agad ng request sa Comelec para makasama ang kanilang opisina sa LAV,” he said.

(Particularly in the healthcare sector, as they are often deployed earlier during elections. We also encourage other government agencies involved in election-related work to submit their requests promptly, so their offices can be included in the LAV program.)

Currently, absentee voters in the Philippines include members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and media practitioners whose duties fall on election day.

The Comelec has not yet announced the registration period for LAV. However, according to the election body’s calendar for the 2025 midterm elections, the absentee voting period is scheduled from April 28 to April 30, 2025.

The midterm elections will take place on May 12, 2025. — DVM, GMA Integrated News