The period for accepting applications for the accreditation of watchers in the conduct of overseas voting closed on 31 March 2019. Please see Embassy Advisory this last February at https://www.philembassy.org.nz/consular/voting/resident-election-registration-board-application-to-observe-the-conduct-of-the-2019-philippine-national-election. For more information, follow this link on COMELEC Resolution No. 10499 of 19 February 2019 promulgating Guidelines for Accreditation of Filipino Community, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), or Civil Society Organization as Partners of the Commission on Elections in Connection with the Conduct of Overseas Voting Under Republic Act No. 9189, Otherwise Known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003”, as Amended by Republic Act No. 10590 for Purposes of the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections: http://www.comelec.gov.ph/?r=OverseasVoting/Resolutions/res10499.

Nonetheless, the public are still welcome to observe proceedings provided certain guidelines are complied with particularly the following:

• Do not touch any equipment such as the Vote Counting Machines (VCMs), Consolidation and Canvassing System (CCS), and Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN).
• Do not talk to any electoral board member, or voter, or among yourselves in such a manner that would distract proceedings.
• Do not bring any firearm or deadly weapon within a fifty 50-meter radius where polling or canvassing is being held.

Kindly note that there may be watchers who obtained accreditation from COMELEC directly. Thus, they will be given preference. Moreover, due to limited space, members of the public who arrive first at the venue shall be given priority.