Voting method

Republic Act No. 9189 / The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003

Sec. 16. Casting and Submission of Ballots.

16.1. Upon receipt by the designated officer of the embassy, consulateand other foreign service establishments of the ballots for overseas absenteevoters, voting instructions, election forms and other paraphernalia, he/sheshall make them available on the premises to the qualified overseas absenteevoters in their respective jurisdictions during the thirty (30) days before theday of elections when overseas absentee voters may cast their vote. Immediatelyupon receiving it, the overseas absentee voter must fill-out his/her ballotpersonally, in secret, without leaving the premises of the embassies,consulates and other foreign service establishments concerned.

Sec. 17. Voting by Mail.

 17.1. For the May, 2004elections, the Commission shall authorize voting by mail in not more than three(3) countries, subject to the approval of the Congressional OversightCommittee. Voting by mail may be allowed in countries that satisfy thefollowing conditions: Where the mailing system is fairly well-developed and secureto prevent the occasion of fraud;

 Where there exists a technicallyestablished identification system that would preclude multiple or proxy voting;and,

Where the system of reception and custody of mailed ballots in theembassies, consulates and other foreign service establishments concerned areadequate and well-secured.

Thereafter, voting by mail in any country shall be allowed only uponreview and approval of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.

 17.2. The overseas absenteevoters shall send his/her accomplished ballot to the corresponding embassy,consular or other foreign service establishment that has jurisdiction over thecountry where he/she temporarily resides. He/She shall be entitled to casthis/her ballot at any time upon his/her receipt thereof, provided that the sameIs received before the close of voting on the day of elections. The overseasabsentee voter shall be instructed that his/her ballot shall not be counted ifnot transmitted in the special envelope furnished him/her.

17.3. Only mailed ballots received by the Philippine embassy, consulateand other foreign service establishments before the close of voting on the dayof elections shall be counted in accordance with Section 18 hereof. Allenvelopes containing the ballots received by the embassies, consulates andother foreign service establishments after the prescribed period shall not beopened, and shall be cancelled and disposed of appropriately, with acorresponding report thereon submitted to the Commission not later than thirty(30) days from the day of elections.