Voter registration is a fundamental civic duty that ensures every qualified citizen can exercise their right to vote. In the Philippines, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is the constitutional body mandated to supervise elections and maintain the integrity of the voter registry. If a voter’s registration has been deactivated—often due to failure to vote in two consecutive regular elections—COMELEC provides a process for reactivation, including through online channels. This article provides an in-depth legal and procedural overview of how to reactivate voter registration online under current Philippine laws and regulations.

Legal Basis for Voter Reactivation

Voter registration and reactivation in the Philippines are governed primarily by:

Republic Act No. 8189 — The Voter’s Registration Act of 1996
Republic Act No. 10367 — Mandatory Biometrics Registration Law
COMELEC Resolutions, most recently those that operationalize continuing registration and online reactivation procedures.

Under Section 27 of RA 8189, a registration record is deactivated if a voter:

Fails to vote in two successive regular elections;
Has been sentenced by final judgment to imprisonment of not less than one year (unless granted amnesty or pardon);
Has been declared insane or incompetent by competent authority;
Has lost Filipino citizenship; or
Has been excluded by a court order.

Reactivation restores a voter’s registration record, allowing participation in future elections once again.

Grounds for Reactivation

Reactivation is allowed if the voter can show that:

They are still qualified to vote (Filipino citizen, at least 18 years old, resident in the Philippines for at least one year and in the locality for six months preceding the election);
The reason for deactivation has been resolved or corrected (e.g., non-voting, completion of sentence, restoration of citizenship).

The Online Reactivation System (ORS)

COMELEC introduced the Online Reactivation System (ORS) as part of its digital services to make registration more accessible and efficient. This initiative complements the iRehistro platform, COMELEC’s official online portal for registration-related services.

1. Access the iRehistro Portal

Visit the official website: https://irehistro.comelec.gov.ph

From the homepage, select “Application for Reactivation of Registration Record”. This form caters to voters whose records have been deactivated for any of the legally recognized reasons.

2. Fill Out the Online Application Form

The applicant must:

Input personal information exactly as recorded in COMELEC’s database (e.g., full name, birthdate, address);
Indicate the reason for deactivation (usually “failed to vote in two consecutive elections”);
Review and confirm the details before submission.

The portal generates a PDF application form. This must be printed, signed, and later submitted electronically or physically, depending on COMELEC’s guidelines at the time.

3. Submit via Email (During Authorized Periods)

In recent resolutions, COMELEC allowed reactivation via email submission, particularly during the pandemic and in special registration periods. The process involves:

Scanning or photographing the accomplished and signed form;
Attaching a valid government ID;
Emailing both documents to the official COMELEC office address of the city/municipality where the voter is registered.

Each COMELEC field office maintains a unique email address for this purpose (e.g., cityname.comelec@gmail.com).

4. Confirmation by the Election Officer

Upon verification, the Election Officer (EO) reviews the application. If complete and valid:

The EO approves reactivation and updates the voter’s record;
The applicant receives confirmation, typically via email or official acknowledgment.

If there are discrepancies or incomplete information, the EO may request additional documents or require in-person validation.

In-Person Verification and Biometrics

Even if submitted online, some reactivation cases may still require personal appearance:

To validate biometrics, if missing or outdated;
To address mismatched records or identity verification issues.

COMELEC field offices handle these on a case-by-case basis. Under RA 10367, biometrics data are mandatory; thus, voters without valid biometrics must complete that requirement before being reinstated to the active list.

Important Deadlines and Restrictions

Reactivation follows the continuing registration schedule prescribed by COMELEC. Generally:

Registration, transfer, and reactivation close at least 120 days before a regular election (for national and local polls), pursuant to Section 8 of RA 8189.
Applications received after the deadline are processed only after the election period.

It is crucial for voters to check official announcements on the COMELEC website or social media pages for the specific deadlines.

Required Documents

To reactivate online, prepare:

Accomplished Reactivation Form (from iRehistro);
Valid government-issued ID (with photo and signature);
Proof of previous registration (optional, but helpful);
Supporting document if deactivation was due to loss of citizenship, incarceration, or other legal reasons.

Status Verification

Voters can verify their registration status through:

COMELEC Precinct Finder: https://precinctfinder.comelec.gov.ph
Or by contacting their local COMELEC office directly.

If listed as “deactivated,” reactivation procedures must be completed before the next election registration deadline.

Legal Implications of Non-Reactivation

A deactivated voter cannot vote until their record is reactivated. Continuing failure to reactivate:

Keeps the voter in inactive status;
May lead to permanent removal if not acted upon over several election cycles.

However, reactivation is a restorative administrative remedy, not a punitive measure, and is always available as long as the voter remains qualified under law.

Conclusion

Reactivating voter registration online through COMELEC is a vital mechanism that ensures citizens maintain their electoral rights while adapting to modern, accessible systems. The process, anchored on Republic Acts 8189 and 10367, balances procedural integrity with digital convenience. Every Filipino voter is encouraged to verify their registration status early and use the online reactivation option to ensure participation in democratic processes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For official guidance or confirmation of procedures, consult your local COMELEC office or visit the official COMELEC website.