Press Release - Lapid urges early voting for senior citizens, PWDs

As elections for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan near, Sen. Lito Lapid renewed the call for the passage of the bill allowing qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to vote early in local and national elections.

Lapid, in his Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2361, grants 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.

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

"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 October 30. It's hard to see our grandparents, including those with disabilities, struggling in line just to exercise their right to vote)," Lapid said.

Based on 2021 estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are 2,754,813 females and 3,635,271 males with the age 65 and over in the country.

"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," Lapid said.

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.

He said senior citizens and PWDs experience physical limitations 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 challenges may include mobility issues, visual impairments, or other conditions that require additional attention or accommodations.

"By providing an opportunity for senior citizens and PWDs to vote on a separate day prior to the national election, we can ensure