Senatorial aspirant and retired police general Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar urged on Sunday, Jan. 9, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to consider setting up separate voting rooms or voting areas for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and individuals with comorbidities for the May 2022 local and national elections.
He said this will ensure their protection amid the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Sumang-ayon tayo at naunawaan na kasama dapat sila sa mauna sa bakunahan, hindi naman siguro kalabisan na i-extend natin ang kaparehong prioritization sa araw ng botohan (We agreed and understood the need for them to be prioritized in the vaccination. I believe that it would be for their own good that we extend this during the election day),” said Eleazar.
“Siguradong dadagsain ang mga voting precincts sa araw ng halalan kaya hangga’t maari ay iiwas sana natin ang mga senior citizen, mga may comorbidity at kasama ang persons with disabilities (PWDs) sa kumpulan ng mga tao para na rin sa kanilang kapakanan (A lot of people will certainly flock to the voting precincts that is why we need to ensure their safety),” he added.
Eleazar, who is running under the Partido Reporma, explained that some senior citizens and persons with comorbidities may be discouraged to vote because of the risks of going to the voting precincts.
He added that the expected large gathering of people during the election days would lead to scenarios wherein some people would engaged in conversations while some would even dare to smoke while waiting for their turn to vote.
"But if they would be informed that they have a separate voting room or voting area, Eleazar said this would further encourage senior citizens and persons with comorbidities to exercise their right to vote," said Eleazar.
Eleazar said he would would leave the decision, or the crafting of the rules, to the Commission on Elections regarding this suggestion.