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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Guanzon backs voting by mail for senior citizens, PWDs, IPs and pregnant women

Guanzon backs voting by mail for senior citizens, PWDs, IPs and pregnant women

Published Sep 9, 2020 04:48 pm

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon is in favor of House Bill 7572, which will allow senior citizens to vote by mail, saying it’s timely amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Commission on Elections
(MANILA BULLETIN)

"Yes, I agree. I hope Congress can pass a law on voting by mail for all voters especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women and indigenous people," she said in an interview Wednesday.

Guanzon added that voting by mail will ensure "voters' access to elections with less risk of contamination during a pandemic."

Marikina (2nd District) Representative Stella Quimbo filed HB 7572 to protect senior citizens from COVID-19 transmission.

Guanzon expressed hope that Senator Imee Marcos, chair of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms, will also author a similar bill.

"I hope that Sen. Imee Marcos will author a similar bill so that it can move faster," she said.

"If the President certifies it as urgent, it can be passed this year and a budget for preparations by Comelec can be provided for in 2021. We need a year to prepare," added Guanzon.

But, she said, the efficiency of the Philippine postal system must also be ensured by PhilPost.

"Perhaps, we can start in capital cities and the National Capital Region, Cavite, Laguna, Negros Occidental . The top 5 provinces in terms of voting populations," Guanzon said.

Voting by mail is already being used by the Comelec but for overseas voting.

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