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April 13, 2009
Makati wants special poll precincts for disabled, elderly -Philippines
The following information related accessible election was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Updated April 05, 2009 12:00 AM
The Makati City Council has passed a resolution urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to create special voting precincts for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.
City Resolution 2009-035, sponsored by Councilor Jejomar Erwin Binay, said citizens should not be deprived of their right to vote simply because of their physical condition.
“Given the circumstances and the special needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities, we believe that we have to make special arrangements so they will not be unduly deprived of their right to vote,” he said.
The Makati City Council said it welcomed the statement of Commissioner Rene Sarmiento that the Comelec is inclined to implement a proposal made earlier by Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay asking the poll body to create the special precincts.
“We are optimistic that the Comelec will open these precincts in time for the 2010 elections,” he said.
The city council noted that under electoral laws, physically disabled voters are allowed to have a relative, any person they trust or any member of the board of election inspectors assist them in filling up their ballots. “This courtesy should be extended to senior citizens,” the council said.
The city council also said many PWDs and elderly voters have been unable to vote in past elections because they found it too difficult to stand in line for a long time or to climb up the stairs to reach their respective precincts.
Special precincts should be located at the ground floor of polling places, so as not to add to the physical difficulties of the elderly, they said. – Rhodina Villanueva
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=455336&publicationSubCategoryId=130
Posted by jicafriends at April 13, 2009 09:29 AM