DUBAI: Filipino workers in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, if you’re planning to vote in the 2028 Philippine Elections, you can already register, transfer, reactivate, or update your overseas voter record.
The Overseas Voting Registration period for the 2028 National and Local Elections is now open and will run until September 30, 2027, as mandated by COMELEC.
May 8, 2028 is the National election day in the Philippines and for OFWs abroad, we have 30-days (from April 9 to May 8, 2028) to cast our vote. 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
How to Register to Vote for the 2028 Philippine Elections in Dubai and the Northern Emirates
Here’s a quick guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
Bring your valid Philippine passport, Emirates ID (if available), and any supporting documents such as a birth or marriage certificate for record updates.
Step 2: Book Through the Official Portal
Visit the official Philippine Consulate General in Dubai website, select Overseas Voting Registration, and choose a schedule that works for you. Avoid unverified links from group chats, and book once only — duplicate appointments can cause delays for other OFWs.
Step 3: Confirm and Attend Your Appointment
Save your confirmation email and bring a printed or digital copy on the day. Arrive 10–15 minutes early with your passport and supporting documents.
Step 4: Complete the Process
Consulate staff will verify your details, have you review the OVF1 form, and capture your biometrics. Double-check the spelling of your name, passport number, and addresses before submitting — errors can cause problems later.
Step 5: Monitor Your Registration
Follow the Consulate’s Facebook page and watch for the Certified List of Overseas Voters. Keep your passport valid and update your record if you move emirates.
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.
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.
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.
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:
