Early voting for seniors, PWDs pushed
THE House of Representatives approved on second reading a substitute bill that will allow early voting for millions of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) in the national and local elections.
Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez, one of the authors of the bill, said the proposed law will give affected voters the opportunity to exercise their right of suffrage, beginning with the May 2022 combined presidential-congressional-local polls.
“It will also ease congestion in voting precincts on Election Day, especially at this time of pandemic, and will lessen the possibility of virus transmission,” said Rodriguez, adding it will likewise give the Commission on Elections (Comelec) more time to the process ballots.
The solon said early voting is already allowed for certain individuals like teachers who serve in the board of election inspectors in polling precincts.
House Bill (HB) No. 9562 is a consolidation of 10 related measures authored by Rodriguez, Helen Tan of Quezon, Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija, Horacio Suansing Jr. of of Sultan Kudarat, Michael Edgar Aglipay of Diwa, Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte, Edward Maceda of Manila, Ronnie Ong of Ang Probinsiyano, and Precious Hipolito Castelo of Quezon City.
Under the bill, the Comelec is mandated to schedule voting for senior citizens and PWDs in establishments accessible to them within seven days before the date of the elections.
The poll body is to conduct nationwide registration for the affected voters to qualify them for early voting. Those who fail to register will vote on Election Day.
It would also be tasked to launch an information campaign for early voting for qualified registered voters.
The Comelec is to issue implementing rules and regulations within 90 days from the date the proposed law takes effect.
Funds for the implementation of the proposed early voting law would be initially charged against the Comelec budget and thereafter included in the annual appropriations bill.
