How to Register and Vote in Dubai for Philippine Elections 2028

DUBAI: Filipino workers in Dubai and the Northern Emirates who want to vote in the 2028 Philippine elections can register, transfer, reactivate, or update their overseas voter record through the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai as early as now since the Overseas Voting Registration period for the 2028 National and Local Elections is already ongoing and will remain open until September 30, 2027, as mandated by COMELEC.

The month-long voting gives us time to plan our days off or time off from work to visit the Philippine Consulate General office in Al Qusais.

Are you eligible to vote? Check if your name is part of the List of Certified OFW Voters in Dubai

Voting Registration Guidelines for Philippine Elections 2028 for Filipinos in Dubai and Northern Emirates

Please follow the guidelines below how you can register to vote while in Dubai and in the other Northern Emirates:

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Before booking your appointment, prepare:

• Valid Philippine passport
• Emirates ID, if available
• Supporting documents, if updating records
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Other proof related to your correction or update

This helps prevent delays during your appointment.

Step 2: Use the Official Appointment Portal

Go to the official website of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.

Use only the official portal. Avoid random links from group chats or unverified pages.

On the portal, choose:

• Overseas Voting Registration

This may cover:

• New voter registration
• Transfer of registration
• Reactivation
• Correction or updating of records

Step 3: Choose Your Schedule

Pick an available date and time.

Remember:

• Choose a slot you can attend
• Weekend or evening slots may fill up fast
• If no slots are available, check again later
• New appointment slots may be added

Step 4: Fill Out Your Details Carefully

Enter your information correctly, including:

• Full name
• Passport number
• Contact number
• Email address

Double-check your email address because your confirmation will be sent there.

Step 5: Book Only Once

Do not make multiple bookings.

The Consulate warns that duplicate appointments may cause:

• Failed confirmation emails
• Cancelled appointments
• Delays for other OFWs

Book once, then wait for the confirmation email.

Step 6: Save Your Confirmation

After submitting the form:

• Check your email
• Save the confirmation
• Take a screenshot
• Bring a printed or digital copy on your appointment day

Step 7: Attend Your Appointment

On the day of your appointment, bring:

• Philippine passport
• Appointment confirmation
• Supporting documents, if needed

Note: Arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early.

Step 8: Complete the Registration Process

At the Consulate, staff may ask you to:

• Show your passport
• Confirm your appointment
• Fill out or review the OVF1 form
• Confirm your UAE and Philippine address
• Confirm your passport details
• Undergo biometrics capture

Biometrics may include:

• Photo
• Digital fingerprints
• Digital signature

Step 9: Review Before Final Submission

Before your record is submitted, check:

• Spelling of your name
• Passport number
• UAE address
• Philippine address
• Type of application

Tip: Do not rush this part. A small error can cause problems later.

Step 10: Wait for Voter List Updates

After registration, your details will be submitted to COMELEC.

Next steps:

• Follow the Consulate’s Facebook page
• Watch for the Certified List of Overseas Voters
• Keep your passport valid
• Update your record if you move to another emirate

For Dubai OFWs, the process is simple: prepare your documents, book through the official portal, attend your appointment, and keep your voter record updated before the 2028 elections.

Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) Introduced

To all Pinoys, be advised of the new OVCS system for overseas workers which allow online voting and counting. This system will ensure a faster and more accurate tally of votes from overseas Filipino workers, as well as provide a more convenient means for them to participate in the elections.

The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai successfully hosted the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Overseas Voting Team on November 15-16, 2024. During their visit, the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for the 2025 National Elections was tested, with Dubai being the first to transmit election data to Manila. This marks a significant step in modernizing overseas voting. Here is the video update on the said mock voting test:

The introduction of this new system aims to increase the participation of overseas Filipinos in the democratic process, as it eliminates geographical barriers and allows them to vote using their electronic devices. It also addresses issues such as delayed or lost mail-in ballots that were previously encountered by Filipino voters abroad.

Take note that for those who cannot access the OVCS, manual voting will still be an option. The Consulate will announce the designated date and time for local absentee voting at a later stage.

You can check out the video below of this new procedure:

Steps: Voting at the PCG Dubai Office in Al Qusais (Manual Voting)

Registered Filipino voters in Dubai, it’s easy to vote for the coming elections, you can spend a maximum of 15 minutes (or less) when voting. It’s a fast and easy process, here’s how it went for us.

Step 1. At the office, show your ID (voter’s ID/passport/Emirates ID) to the staff. They will verify your name if you are eligible to vote according to the list of certified voters.

Step 2. Once your name is called, you will be tasked to sit in an assigned seat in the voting area to start voting. You are allowed to vote:

• 12 (twelve) Senators, and
• 1 (one) Party-list group.

Step 3. After choosing your candidates, you may submit your ballot to the staff and they will issue a voter’s receipt. Double-check the receipt if it reflects your votes correctly. If there are objections, you can inform the poll clerk and make sure it is noted.

Step 4. Drop the receipt on the voter’s receipt box.

Philippine Elections Voting Schedule in Dubai

In case you are wondering what is the schedule for voting for OFWs. COMELEC has released the dates on when we can visit the PCG Dubai office to cast our votes. It is from

Filipinos in Dubai can vote in the 2025 Philippine midterm elections either online or at voting kiosks provided by the Philippine Consulate-General. Here’s the schedule:

• Pre-Enrolment for Online Voting: March 10 to May 12, 2025

Register during this time to access the online voting system.

• Test Voting Period: March 10 to April 12, 2025

Test the online voting system before casting your actual vote.

• Voting Period: April 13 (8am UAE time) to May 12, 2025 (3pm UAE time)

You can cast your vote online or at voting kiosks during this 30-day period.

• Philippine Election Day: May 12, 2025

Voting ends at 3pm UAE time (7pm Philippine time).

These dates ensure all registered Filipino voters in Dubai have enough time to participate in the elections.

Check if you are included in the Certified List of Voters (CLOV) in Dubai and Northern Emirates at the Consulate website.

Registered overseas voters in Dubai and the Northern Emirates who wish to cast their ballots are required to present Emirates ID or Passport or any valid ID during the election for identification purposes.

Reminders

• Check if your name is on the Certified List of Overseas Voters (CLOV) in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
• Present your passport or any valid ID to the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI)
• Sign on the voter’s list and receive your ballot. Make sure that the ballot is new, not marked, torn, or smudged.
• Proceed to the voting area. Use the ballot secrecy folder and marking pen provided by the SBEI.
• Fill out the ballot properly. DO NOT tear, deface or make unnecessary marks on the ballot.
• Remember to vote for one (1) President, one (1) Vice President, not more than twelve (12) Senators and not more than one (1) Party List. Over voting will not be counted.
• Return to SBEI and insert ballot in the vote counting machine (VCM).
• Wait for the voter’s receipt to be printed. DO NOT pull the receipt.
• Verify your votes on the voter’s receipt.
• If there are no errors, drop the receipt on the Voter’s Receipt Receptacle. Do not take a photo or make a copy of the voter’s receipt. Do not take the voter’s receipt with you when you leave.
• If votes do not match, report to SBEI. Note that filing of “frivolous objections” is considered an election offense.
• Leave the voting area.

Note: You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while in the voting area.

This is a very smooth process of voting, so while there’s still time, visit the PCG Dubai office and cast your votes!

Be advised on what to wear when visiting the PCG Office:

• no slippers
• no sando
• no short pants
• no plunging necklines

Video: Overseas Voting for Filipinos Dubai

Check out this video as shared by the PCG Dubai regarding the latest voting updates for our National Elections in the Philippines. This features the OVCS testing done on November 2024:

Summary

Voting is a right and a duty of every citizen. Voting is done by marking an “X” beside the name of the candidate you are voting for. You can also write in the name of the candidate if you choose to. If you make a mistake, you can erase it and write again. Be sure to completely darken the box beside the name of your chosen candidate.

It is important that you cast your vote and make it count as we are choosing our next leaders that will help determine the course of our country. Please vote wisely so that we can have the best leaders that will serve our country well.

Contact Information

PCG Dubai
Address: Al Qusais 3 Dubai, United Arab Emirates P.O. Box 94778
Website: http://dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/
Email: pcgdxb@pcgdubai.ae or pcgdxb@gmail.com
Telephone Number:+ 971 4 2207100
Office Hours: Sunday – Thursday (Except Legal Holidays)
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 nn (Consulate Compound closes during lunch break: 12- 1 PM)
1:00 p.m – 5:00 p.m. (Cashier accepts payments until 4 PM only)

Directions / How to Get There

You may check out the following instructions below on how you can get to PCG Dubai via public transport:

• Metro Via Red Line – Drop off at Rashidiya or Emirates station, take a quick cab trip to Al Qusais. Most, if not all cabs know where the Consulate General is. Fare approximately (20 AED). The Consulate General will be on your right from Beirut St.
• Metro Via Green Line – Drop off at Al Qusais station, approximately 3 blocks away, a bit of a walk.
• By Public Bus – From Bur Dubai Bus 33, from Satwa Bus 32C, from Deira Bus 13, drop off at Al Qusais Bus Stop across Al Qusais Police Station. From station, the Consulate is on your right side, approximately 50m walk.

Google Map Location

Please check out this map guide below to the location of the PCG Dubai office: