Poll body urged to prioritize persons with disabilities, elders
BACOLOD CITY -- Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Homer Bais recently passed a proposed resolution urging the Commission on Election (Comelec) to give priority to persons with disabilities and senior citizens casting their votes during election day or in the exercise of suffrage without the necessity of requiring them to fall in line.
Bais noted that most senior citizens suffer extra burdens during election day when they are requested to fall in line only to cast their votes.
He asserted that the 1987 Constitution guarantees the right of all the citizens of the Philippines to suffrage. Bais mentioned that under Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons particularly Chapter VII on Political and Civil Rights. "Section 29 thereof states, "Disabled Persons.. .Polling places should be made "accessible" to disabled persons during national or local election", Bais added as he reads the RA 7277.
He also emphasized that the voters line notwithstanding, persons with disabilities and senior citizens shall be given utmost consideration and priority to be accommodated and be allowed to cast their votes ahead of other voters queuing to vote in their respective polling precincts.