Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 10) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is planning to suspend “indefinitely” the ongoing overseas voter registration in Israel amid the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said on Tuesday he will recommend to the Commission en banc the suspension of overseas voter registration in the Middle Eastern country.
“Tayo ay magre-recommend bukas sa Commission en banc na baka pupwedeng i-suspend muna indefinitely ‘yung registration ng botante natin diyan sa Israel,” he said.
“Mahirap ho natin ipagbakasakali ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan ganung hindi pa talaga naging maayos ang sitwasyon doon sa lugar,” Garcia explained.
[Translation: We will recommend tomorrow the indefinite suspension of voter registration to the Commission en banc. It is difficult for us to risk the lives of our countrymen as the situation in the area has not really improved.]
The Philippine Embassy in Israel resumed providing services on October 9.
The poll body chief said they will see if there is still a need for an extension, given the lengthy period for overseas voter registration.
The Comelec began the overseas voter registration for the May 2025 national elections on December 12, 2022. This will continue until December 2024.
There were 13,364 registered voters in Israel for the 2022 polls. Of this number, 7,871 or 59% voted during the elections.
As of the July 17, 2023 Election Registration Board hearing, there were 9,906 active registered overseas voters recorded in Israel.
\”So far mga kulang-kulang dalawang libo ang nadadagdag na registered voters. Pero siyempre habang pumupunta tayo at lumalapit tayo sa katapusan ng registration period maaaring dumami pa ito,\” Garcia said.
[Translation: So far, about 2,000 registered voters have been added. But, of course, as we go and get closer to the end of the registration period, it may increase.]
Garcia believes there may be an increase in registered voters once they implement internet voting for the 2025 elections.
