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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Angara asks Comelec to prioritize seniors, PWDs in 2022 elections

Angara asks Comelec to prioritize seniors, PWDs in 2022 elections

Published Sep 27, 2020 04:04 pm

Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Sunday to prioritize the welfare of senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other persons at risk for COVID-19 as they draft their contingency measures for the May 2022 national elections.

Sen. Sonny Angara
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Angara pointed out there is still time for Comelec to prepare for the elections, which many people agree should be held as scheduled.

“(They must make sure) those who are at risk – the PWDs, our senior citizens, those who are vulnerable – be given priority to vote,” Angara said in an interview in an interview over radio DZRH.

“The Comelec should consider extending the voting hours especially if by 2022, we still can’t go back to normal,” he said.

Angara is among the senators who thumbed down calls to postpone the May 2022 elections due to the coronavirus.

The Senate Committee on Finance chief said he will ask the Comelec about the status of their preparations for the 2022 elections once their budget is tackled by the panel.

He had earlier said he would push for an early voting mechanism for senior citizens and PWDs to ensure greater participation and at the same time reduce the risks on their health as the country faces a “new normal.”

As for calls to postpone the elections, Angara said all senators are united in their belief that the May 2022 elections should push through as slated.

“If there is one issue that would unite the Senate, the 24 ‘republics’ in the Senate, I think this is it, everyone agrees it should push through,” he said.

“Ninety-nine point nine (99.9) percent of Filipinos are used to democracy. That (voting) is one of the essentials of democracy,” the lawmaker stressed.

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