Sen. Sonny Angara has renewed his call for the approval of his bill on an early voting scheme for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
As the author of Senate Bill Number 777 or the measure seeking to enhance the accessibility in voting and implementation of early voting for seniors and PWDs, Angara said the approval of this bill is long overdue and should already be implemented in the next elections.
“It is encouraging to hear from our Comelec Chairman about the positive reception of our senior citizens and PWDs to the early voting scheme in the two pilot cities. It clearly shows that in spite of difficulties they experience, they always make it a point to exercise their right to suffrage,” Angara said.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia cited a “blockbuster” turnout in the pilot implementation of the early voting for seniors and PWDs during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Naga and Muntinlupa City.
He noted that concerned voters showed up as early as 5 a.m. to cast their votes for the barangay election.
Garcia said the scheme should already be implemented nationwide in the 2025 election and urged Congress to pass the law allowing the vulnerable sectors to vote ahead of the scheduled elections.
According to the National Commission on Senior Citizens, at least 11.6 million Filipinos aged 60 and above were registered as voters for the BSKE.
Under Angara’s SBN 777, seniors and PWDs will be allowed to cast their votes for a period no less than two days within 15 days before election day.
Seniors and PWDs who register for early voting will have the option to cast their ballot via post in designated precincts.
The bill will amend Republic Act 10366 or the law that authorizes the Comelec to establish precincts assigned to accessible polling places exclusively for PWDs and senior citizens.
SBN 777 authorizes the Comelec to designate precincts as accessible polling places for the exclusive use of PWDs and seniors such as in public schools, town halls or plazas, civic centers, community centers or other similarly designated special venues or areas, preferably those designed with special features to ensure their safety and comfort.
The accessible establishments must have sufficient disability support services located on the ground floor of designated election offices or strategic areas in every city or municipality all over the country.
He lamented reports that many seniors still lined up in precincts and some even had to climb stairs to be able to vote.