Lapid pushes early voting for seniors, PWDs

MANILA, Philippines — With the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set next week, a senator renewed calls for the passage of a bill allowing over six million qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to vote early in local and national elections.

Based on 2021 estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are 2,754,813 women and 3,635,271 men aged 65 and over in the country.

Sen. Lito Lapid filed Senate Bill 2361, which seeks to allow vulnerable sectors to cast their ballots within seven working days before the date set for local and national elections.

“Elections are coming up on Oct. 30. I am the one who is having trouble seeing our grandparents, including those with disabilities, fighting in line just to use their right to vote,” Lapid said in a statement yesterday, adding that he hopes the bill is passed before the next elections.

Sen. Cynthia Villar earlier made the same call for early voting for senior citizens and PWDs.