By Liza Soriano
Senator Lito Lapid has renewed his call to pass the bill, allowing qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to vote early in local and national elections.
Under Senate Bill No. 2361, “vulnerable” sectors are 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 Lapid said.
Based on 2021 estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are 2,754,813 females and 3,635,271 males aged 65 and over in the country.
“We don’t want to disenfranchise these millions of our countrymen these coming elections. I hope we can pass this bill before the next elections,” Lapid said.
Earlier, Sen. Cynthia Villar also made the call for early voting for senior citizens and PWDs.
The senator stressed that the right to vote is a fundamental pillar of any democratic society. It is essential that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process and have their voices 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 said.
(ai/mnm)
