Smoke billows for the second day from the Shahran oil depot, northwest of Tehran, on June 16, 2025. AFP
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday suspended the overseas voter registration in Israel and Iran following the conflict in these Middle East nations.
In an advisory, the Comelec said this was based on Israeli Government Policies, where consular services of foreign posts – including the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel – have been suspended until March 7, 2026.
This also includes the voter registration for overseas Filipinos in Israel.
Filipino activists burn US flag in condemnation of US-Israel attacks on Iran
Meanwhile, the voter registration in Iran has also been suspended “until further notice” following the advice of the Philippine Embassy in Tehran.
Comelec said consular services and voter registration in other Middle East countries remain available.
“The Commission on Elections once again strongly advises our fellow Filipinos in the Middle East to remain vigilant and stay informed about the situation in their respective regions,” the poll body said.
“Be cautious of false or misleading information and rely only on credible sources,” it said.
The voter registration began on Dec. 1, 2025 and will run until Sept. 30, 2027 as part of preparations for the 2028 national elections.
Government data show there are around 2.5 million Filipinos working and residing in the Middle East.
Airspace closures complicate plans to bring OFWs home from Middle East
Of this number, at least 1,400 have already signified their intention to return to the Philippines following a series of air strikes reported in the region since February 28.
The Department of Migrant Workers earlier clarified that there was no mass repatriation yet, but assured the public that the government was prepared to extend assistance to affected OFWs should the situation worsen.