Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No,__7411

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA and DOMINGO C. RIVERA

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO USE
AND IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED AND ONLINE SYSTEM FOR
VOTER REGISTRATION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Suffrage, or the right to vote, is the hallmark of a vibrant democracy. Itis through
which that the people, in their sovereign capacity and will, vest upon their chosen few
the power, duty, and privilege to serve and govern. The right of suffrage, however, is
a franchise subject to State regulation. While it lies in the heart of a truly democratic
State, its exercise is conditioned on the fulfilment of a procedural limitation—that of
registration. The seeming lengthy and tedious processes involved in voter registration
however may prove to be a deterrent for many from registering as voters or updating
their registration records. As we herald the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technological
advancements and innovations present an abundant opportunity for the State to
address this issue by lending more efficiency, economy, and accessibility to voter
registration processes.

This bill seeks to take advantage of these technological advances by mandating
the Commission on Elections, as far as practicable, to adopt, design and use an
automated and online system for voter registration that enables the electronic and
online filing and processing of the application for voter registration, transfer of
registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries and such other
requests and processes relative to the voter's registration and records.


Indeed, a more convenient, efficient, and accessible registration process
encourages more people to register. This further increases the possibility of higher
voter participation in the elections because there is nothing healthier for a democratic
state than to have citizens who are informed, actively participating in its democratic
processes, and truly engaged in charting the course of its destiny.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

HON. EDUARBS: Sed Ablpnet Cr. LANUEVA



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7
HOUSE BILL NO. 411

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA and DOMINGO C. RIVERA

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO USE
AND IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATED AND ONLINE SYSTEM FOR
VOTER REGISTRATION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Online Voter Registration
Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to establish a system of
registration that ensures and guarantees a clean, complete, permanent, and updated
list of voters. To encourage and ensure a continuing system of voter registration, the
State shall adopt and make use of technologies that shalll facilitate and allow the
automated and online registration of voters, taking into account the integrity,
completeness, and accuracy of the list of voters.

SEC. 3. Automated and Online Voter Registration System. - The Commission on
Elections (COMELEC) shall, as far as practicable, adopt, design, and use an
automated and online system for voter registration that enables the electronic and
online filing and processing of the application for voter registration, transfer of
registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries, and such other
requests and processes relative to the voter's registration and records.

The COMELEC shall also endeavor to use the same automated and online system
for the verification and approval of application for voter registration, transfer of


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registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries, and such other
requests and processes relative to the voter's registration and records as may be
practicable, bearing in mind the State's policy of ensuring the integrity and accuracy
of the voters list and records.

SEC. 4. Automated and Online Verification. ~ Where online verification of the
application or request is not feasible in the meantime, the system shall nonetheless
allow the applicant to submit his or her application or request through the
COMELEC’s online platform. The same application and the information contained
therein, including the demographics of the applicant, shall be processed
electronically and shall be automatically stored in the COMELEC database for
pending voter registration application or requests.

The system shall promptly provide the applicant with complete and detailed
information as to the steps required to complete the application or request.

SEC. 5, Personal Filing. — The automated and online filing of application for voter
registration shall not preclude the personal filing of applications for registration,
transfer of registration, reactivation, correction of voter registration entries, and such
other requests, which shall continue to be available and conducted in the office of the
Election Officer during office hours.

SEC. 6. Automated and Electronic Notice of Approval or Disapproval. — The
automated and electronic system of voter registration shall include a feature that
automatically informs the applicant of the successful submission of his or her
application or request. The system shall provide detailed instructions on how the
applicant may follow up or complete the application for registration or requests, the
estimated time to complete the processing of the application or request, details on
the notice of approval or disapproval of the application and requests, further remedies
available in case of disapproval, and such other information necessary to promptly
assist the applicant with his or her application or request.

SEC. 7. Secure Internet Website and Online Platforms. - The COMELEC shall
design, devise, adopt, or otherwise use a secure Internet Website or online platform
where such applications may be filed by voters and/or applicants. Security measures
shall be put in place to protect and guarantee the completeness, accuracy, and
integrity of voter registration forms, applications, and information submitted and filed
through such Internet Website or online platform.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEG, in coordination
with the appropriate government agencies, including the Department of Science and
Technology ("DOST") and the Department of Information and Communications
Technology (‘DICT’), and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 9. Appropriation. — The amount necessary for the effective implementation
Of this Act shall be included in the budget of the COMELEC in the annual General
Appropriations Act.


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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other
Portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can
still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
memoranda, circulars, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof,
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,