Each individual, having duties t o other individuals and t o have
c o m m u n i t y t o w h i c h h e o r s h e belongs, is under a responsibility t o
strive for the p r o m o t i o n and observance o f the rights recognized i n
the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Bill o f H u m a n Rights.^
T h e right t o participate i n political processes i s a wellestablished principle o fh u m a n rights law and is expressed i n Article
219 o f t h e U n i v e r s a l D e c l a r a t i o n o f H u m a n R i g h t s ( U D H R ) .
T h e 1 9 8 7 Philippine Constitution explicitly states that " N o
literacy, property, o r other substantive requirement shall b e imposed
o n t h e e x e r c i s e t o suffrage."^^^ R e a d i n g a n d w r i t i n g a r e n o t t h e o n l y
vehicles f o racquiring i n f o r m a t i o n , a n dthat so precious a right as
suffrage should n o t b e held back f r o m those w h o a r e s o unfortunate
as t o b e u n a b l e t o r e a d a n d w r i t e . " T h e r e a s o n f o r t h e a b o l i t i o n o f t h e
literacy requirement is i nkeeping with the trend for the broadening
of t h e electoral base a n d i n keeping further w i t h t h e committee's
desire t o discontinue t h e alienation a n d exclusion o f millions o f
citizens f r o m t h epolitical system a n d f r o m participation i n t h e
political life i n t h e country, t h e requirement f o r voting h a s been
eliminated.12
Conclusion and Recommendation:
People w i t h disabilities have t h e right t o vote a n d stand f o r
election t o public office o n a n equal basis w i t h others. W h i l e States
m a y l i m i t that right t o those w h o have a m i n i m u m age, restrictions
m u s t b ejustifiable a n d reasonable. Disability should never apply as a
restrictive condition.
T h e r i g h t t o cast a vote freely implies b y d e f i n i t i o n t h a t there i s
n o r e q u i r e m e n t that citizens m u s t exercise this right i n a certain way.
T h e r e a r e n o , a n d cannot b e , a n y clear a n d objective criteria f o r
casting a vote based o n reason o r knowledge. Therefore, w e should
n o t h o l d persons w i t h disabilities t o a nartificial standard that does
n o t a p p l y t o a n y b o d y else.
^
Preamble, par. w. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(l)Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceftil assembly and associatio
public service in his country. (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of
periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage a
voting procedures.
Sec. 1, Art. V, 1987 Philippine Constitution
"
II Records at 9-10, 14, 19-21.
Explanatory Note of Resolution No. 03, Committee on Suffrage and Electoral