FILE PHOTO: The Commission on Elections conducts a demo on the operation of the vote-counting machines that will be used in the May 9 polls, with a PWD (person with disability) casting a mock ballot, at a shopping mall in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Philippine Daily Inquirer/LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — Companions of individuals with physical disability and restricted mobility will now be allowed to vote in ‘emergency accessible polling places’, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Aimee Ferolino announced Thursday.
This developed after the Comelec en banc approved Wednesday additional guidelines for the conduct of the May 9, 2022, elections.
“Companions of persons with physical disability and restricted mobility manifesting the following: quadriplegia and motor restrictions such as tremors, weaknesses, or spasticity which restricts the effective filling out of forms and ballots are now allowed to vote in the emergency accessible polling places,” Ferolino said during in a press briefing.
Before, emergency accessible polling places were only limited to persons with disability (PWDs).
READ: Comelec sets 3 special voting sites for PWDs, elderly
“Kasi dati, talagang ‘yung PWD lang ang ina-allow natin (Before, we only allowed PWDs). There were requests that to avail of these services, the PWD needs also their companion who must be with them and assist them, especially for those who have mobility issues,” said Ferolino.
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According to Ferolino, more than 11 million people in the vulnerable sector registered to vote on May 9. Specifically, 511,612 PWDs; 10,085,956 seniors citizens; 60,848 persons deprived of liberty or PDLs; 666,308 Indigenous People.
READ: House OKs early voting for senior citizens, PWDs
The total number of people in the vulnerable sector, however, excludes individuals who have a temporary disability.