The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced a significant change in how registered voters in the Philippines can obtain a crucial document. Starting immediately, individuals needing a voter's certification must now apply at their local Comelec offices, as the national issuance service in Manila has been temporarily halted.
Local Offices Become New Access Point
In a recent public advisory, the poll body directed the public to secure their voter certification at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in their city or municipality. This is the location where they are officially registered as voters. The shift to local processing is a direct response to a technical suspension at the national level, making community-based offices the primary and currently sole channel for this service.
National Service Suspended for Maintenance
The reason for this operational change is the indefinite suspension of voter certification issuance at Comelec's National Central File Division (NCFD). This division operates from the main Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila. The suspension took effect on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, and will continue until further notice.
The suspension is necessary due to ongoing maintenance work on the Data Center AFIS Server. This critical system is managed by the Comelec Information Technology Department. The maintenance work is essential for the integrity and functionality of the voter database but has temporarily disrupted the central office's ability to issue certifications.
Purpose and Content of a Voter's Certification
A voter's certification is an important document issued by Comelec upon the request of a registered voter. It acts as a temporary voter identification card, often used for various transactions that require proof of registration and identity.
The certification contains the personal details of the voter exactly as they were recorded in the individual's most recently approved application form. This ensures the document accurately reflects the voter's current information in the official Comelec database.
This move by Comelec underscores the importance of local government units in delivering essential public services, especially when central systems are under upgrade. Voters are advised to coordinate directly with their local election officers for the specific requirements and process to obtain their certification during this period.
