Comelec eyes special assistance to PWDs

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is considering giving assistance to visually impaired Persons With Disabilities (PWD) during the midterm elections in May next year.

Baguio City Election Supervisor John Paul Martin said this would help the visually impaired vote for their preferred candidates during the 2019 May polls.

“Comelec is open to provide assistance to our visually impaired members of the PWD’s for them to personally do the shading of the names of their prospective candidates,” Martin stated.

Earlier, Baguio City Federation of Persons with Disabilities president John Paredes requested to Comelec to allow the children of visually impaired individuals to cast the votes for their parents.

The group has also asked the Comelec to identify specific polling precincts in all 128 barangays in the city where the PWDs can vote.

Republic Act No. 10366 authorizes Comelec to establish precincts assigned to accessible polling places exclusively for PWDs and senior citizens.

The accessible polling place should be located at the ground floor, preferably near the entrance of the building, and is free of any physical barriers and provided with necessary services, including assistive devices.

All barangays should have accessible precincts for persons with disabilities which is lacking here in the city.

“I think this is doable since what we want to have is reasonable accommodation or the most accessible room for persons with disabilities to vote,” Paredes added.

Section 1 of the Republic Act or the Declaration of Policy says the State shall ensure persons with disabilities and senior citizens are able to exercise their right to political participation without discrimination or restrictions. Towards this end, the State shall design systems and procedures that will enable persons with disabilities and senior citizens to register and vote by themselves.