for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens. According to the Asia Foundation's
Fully Abled Nation PWD initiative, only 240,000 PWDs and senior citizens overall
signified their intention to vote during the 2019 elections in accessible polling places
as these sites are not guaranteed to have ground floor level voting areas, ramps, and
other necessary facilities needed for accessibility, and that reaching these locations
alone poses a challenge given the limited public transportation options.3
In addition to accessibility issues, the COVID-19 health crisis hinders the
participation of these two vulnerable sectors during elections with the high risk of
infection associated with mass gatherings. The Council on Foreign Relations noted
that one consequence of holding polls during a pandemic is the lower voter turnout
as many would opt not to vote out of fear of contracting the virus. The international
organization found 9 out of 15 countries that held elections in 2020 registered
declines in the number of voters who casted their ballots from the previous election.4
With less than 2 years left before the next National and Local Elections, the
right to vote of all Filipinos, particularly senior citizens and PWDs, must be protected
to ensure that it can be fully exercised without restrictions.
Thus, it is only proper to enhance voting accessibility for these vulnerable
sectors. The proposed measure amends Republic Act No. 10366, otherwise known as
An Act Authorizing The Commission On Elections To Establish Precincts Assigned To
Accessible Polling Places Exclusively For Persons With Disabilities And Senior Citizens,
to authorize the COMELEC to designate precincts in accessible polling places for the
exclusive use of PWDs and senior citizens, such as in public schools, town halls or
plazas, civic centers, community centers or other similarly designated special venues
or areas, and preferably those designed with special features to ensure safety and
comfort, which should be reachable by public transportation and equipped with
essential features for the vulnerable sectors. Further, the Bill allows early voting of
senior citizens and PWDs, with the option to vote through mail, to isolate them from
all other voters to reduce their risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
rNNY ANGARA
3 Ibid.
4 Maiziand, L. “How countries are holding elections during the COVID-19 pandemic." Council on Foreign Relations, 17 September 2020,
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/how-countries-are-holding-elections-during-covid-19-pandemic