The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved requests to extend the period to apply for local absentee voting (LAV) in the May 12 polls.
In Resolution 11120, the Comelec en banc moved the last day of filing of LAV applications to March 17 from March 10.
“In light of numerous requests for extensions of the aforementioned deadlines from various government units, offices, agencies, and departments and considering the observance of Holy Week from April 17 to April 20, 2025, the Commission deems it necessary to amend Comelec Resolution No. 11091,” it said.
The poll body said accomplished original LAV Form No. 01 and original LAV Form No. 02 for local absentee voting must be submitted on or before March 17.
The Resolution also moved the deadline of the period to verify whether the applicants are eligible for the LAV to April 11 from April 8.
The deadline for the transmittal of the list of qualified LAV voters from the Committee on LAV was rescheduled to April 27 from April 21.
The LAV is a voting system that allows qualified individuals, who are assigned to perform election duties on Election Day, to cast their votes ahead of the general public.
Those who are qualified to avail of LAV include government officials and employees, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), as well as members of the media.
LAV voters will only choose for the positions of senators and party-list organizations. The voting period is from April 28 to 30.*PNA