House approves measure on early voting of seniors, PWDs

The House of Representatives has approved the measure seeking to provide an option for qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities to vote early during national and local elections.

With 196 affirmative votes, the chamber unanimously approved House Bill 9562 or An Act Providing For Early Voting By Qualified Senior Citizens And Persons With Disabilities In National And Local Elections on Tuesday's session.

The bill mandates that there shall be early voting where qualified senior citizens and PWDs may choose to cast their ballot at accessible establishments designated by the Commission on Elections within seven working days before the date set for the polls.

The measure also mandates the conduct of a nationwide registration for senior citizens and PWDs to qualify them to avail of the early voting privilege.

Nueva Ecija Representative Estrellita Suansing, principal author of the bill, had said the measure will be a "form of support" for senior citizens as well as PWDs.

Suansing had pointed out that early voting is needed because polls could be difficult for the elderly and PWDs due to inaccessible polling precincts and large numbers of people in voting places. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News