Comelec tells PWDs, other vulnerable sectors to update voter records

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez. INQUIRER.net file photo / RYAN LEAGOGO

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday urged persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other people belonging to the “vulnerable sectors” of society to update their voter registration records ahead of the 2022 national and local polls.

“We wish to remind the voting public, especially persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and members of indigenous peoples or indigenous cultural communities and other members of vulnerable sectors, to update their record during the 20-month long registration period,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.

According to Jimenez, PWDs may notify the Comelec of their type of disability and form of assistance they will need on Election Day by filling out the Supplementary Data Form.

“At the same time, they may signify their intent to vote in an Accessible Polling Place, which is a separate polling place exclusively for their use,” he said.

Jimenez noted that the second week of voter registration recorded a total of 81,807 applications, which were processed from January 27 to February 1.

A total of 13,539 applications for various types of corrections or changes of entries in the registration record were also recorded.

Meanwhile, applications for the transfer of registration records from overseas voters for the same week reached 455.

Jimenez said that the deadline for applications is earlier for those transferring from overseas to the Philippine municipality, city, or district.

“Overseas voters who intend to vote in the Philippines on May 9, 2022, should take note of the deadline of application for transfer of registration record from overseas to local, which is August 31, 2021,” he said.

Voter registration for all qualified Filipino citizens abroad resumed on December 16, 2019.

Since the local voter registration resumed on January 20, a total of 187,777 applications have so far been processed. Of these applicants, 103,729 are female while 84,048 are male.

The registration period will end on September 30, 2021.

Edited by JPV