Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid on Sunday, October 22 renewed his call to allow qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to vote early in local and national elections. 

Lapid, has filed Senate Bill No. 2361, which seeks to grant those who are part of the “vulnerable” sectors to cast their ballots at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) within seven working days before the date set for local and national elections. 

“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 Oct. 30. It’s hard to see our grandparents, including those with disabilities, struggling in line just to exercise their right to vote),” Lapid pointed out.

“We don’t want to disenfranchise these millions of our countrymen this coming elections. I hope we can pass this bill before the next elections,” the senator said.

Sen. Cynthia Villar has also made a similar call through Senate Bill No. 2239. 

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in its 2021 study, disclosed there are 2,754,813 females and 3,635,271 males with the age 65 and over in the country. 

Lapid stressed it is imperative to give special attention to senior citizens and PWDs and guarantee their voting rights, considering they comprise a significant portion of the country’s population. 

He said the government should take into consideration their physical limitations and or health conditions that can make it difficult for them to participate in the voting process alongside the general population on the designated election day. 

These may include mobility issues, visual impairments, or other conditions that require additional attention or accommodation.

“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 said.

Lapid also said allowing early voting for senior citizens and PWDs would solve overcrowding woes at polling stations during election day and reduce the long queues and waiting time. 

With COVID-19 still around, the senator said this arrangement would also help mitigate the risk of their exposure to other contagious diseases.