1,868 inmates to cast votes

MANILA, Philippines—A total of 1,868 inmates from the national penitentiaries will be participating in elections for the first time.

Bureau of Corrections Director Franklin Jesus Bucayu said the inmates would come from the seven operating units of BuCor nationwide.

These operating units are the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City, Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Sabisyan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City, Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte and Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Panabo Davao.

While convicts lose their right to vote, Bucayu explained that those whose cases are still on appeal are qualified to exercise their right to vote.

The BuCor is closely coordinating with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for poll preparations, which will be done manually inside the prison facilities. A dry run will be conducted before May 13.

A special voting precinct will be set up inside the penal facilities for the first time where inmates qualified to vote will be escorted in batches.

In 2010, inmates in local jails were allowed to vote for the first time.