Lapid urges legislation of early voting for seniors, PWDs during BSKE

Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid is pushing the passage of a measure that would allow qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities to vote earlier than the dates scheduled for local and national elections.

Senate Bill 2361 grants the "vulnerable sectors" to cast their votes at more accessible establishments or areas—duly designated by the Commission on Elections—within seven working days before the dates set for local and national polls. 

Lapid reiterated this call for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on 30 October. 

"Eleksyon na naman po sa Oktubre 30. Ako po ang nahihirapan na makita ang ating mga lolo at lola, kasama na ang mga may kapansanan, na nakikipaggitgitan sa pilahan upang magamit lamang ang kanyang karapatang bumoto (Elections are coming up on October 30. It's hard to see our grandparents, including those with disabilities, struggling in line just to exercise their right to vote)," he said. 

Senator Cynthia Villar also made the same call, allowing elderly people and PWDs to early voting. 

Citing the 2021 estimated data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Lapid said there are 2,754,813 females and 3,635,271 males with ages ranging from 65 years and above, who are qualified voters nationwide. 

"We don't want to disenfranchise these millions of our countrymen this coming election. I hope we can pass this bill before the next elections," Lapid stressed. 

He emphasized that the right to vote is a fundamental pillar of any democratic society. 
Lapid said it is imperative for the government to ensure that every eligible citizen "has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process and have their voices be heard." 

"In our country, senior citizens and PWDs comprise a significant portion of the population and deserve special attention to guarantee the realization of their voting rights," he added.

He lamented that elders and PWDs are experiencing physical limitations or health conditions, making it difficult for them to participate in the regular voting process with the general population on the designated election day. 

These challenges, he added, may include mobility issues, visual impairments, or other conditions that require additional attention or accommodations

Hence, the passage of the SB 2361 is crucial, Lapid underscored.

"By providing an opportunity for senior citizens and PWDs to vote on a separate day prior to the national election, we can ensure that these individuals are given the necessary time and support to exercise their voting rights," he explained.

For the senator, allowing early voting for senior citizens and PWDs is not "only safe but also practical, noting that separate voting days will alleviate overcrowding at polling stations on the national election day and will reduce potential long queues as well as waiting times. 

"With COVID-19 still around, this arrangement will also help mitigate the risk of exposure to contagious diseases, as senior citizens and PWDs would be able to vote in a less crowded environment, where health and safety measures can be implemented more effectively," Lapid said. 

The SB 2361 "hereby declared the policy of the State to make voting convenient for senior citizens and PWDs by giving them the option to vote earlier than the date set for the election."

It mandates the conduct of a nationwide registration for senior citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health to qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. 

Those who are not registered under this Act shall vote with the rest of the eligible population on election day.