Only relatives, persons in same household, BET may assist seniors, PWD —Comelec

Voters who are illiterate, differently-abled, or elderly may only receive help from relatives, someone from their household, or the chairperson of the Board of Election Tellers (BET) to cast their vote.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez made the clarification on Monday after they received reports that poll watchers assisted elderly persons vote at Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, Manila.

"Kung kamag-anak niya po 'yun, sure, baka siguro nga pwede. Pero again, what's important is the relationship to the voter. If the voter is not related in any way to the person giving assistance, then that is very questionable," Jimenez explained at a press briefing at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.

"That has to be investigated, certainly, because that would be unlawful interference dun sa... botante," he continued.

Prioritize the elderly, differently-abled

Jimenez reminded BETs to prioritize and aid elderly and differently-abled persons who require assistance, especially those who have difficulties with mobility.

"We immediately cascaded orders with our field officials to remind our Board of Election Tellers to put priority assistance to our senior citizens," he said.

"Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon may hiwalay na priority lane, pero definitely, ang teachers natin, on the lookout sila para 'pag may nakita silang senior citizen na nakapila, or mag-a-approach, bigyan kaagad ng tulong," he continued.

Ask for help through official channels

At the same time, voters must also inform Comelec ahead of time that they are differently-abled or in need of special assistance to ensure that they can be moved to an accessible polling place.

"Meron po tayong accesible polling places, yes, pero in order to be voting in those accessible polling places, kailangan magsabi na kailangan niyo ng accessible polling places," Jimenez explained.

"Bakit ganyan ang rule? Ganun po ang rule kasi hindi po natin kabisado ang pangangatawan ng mga botante natin. Comelec has to be informed. You could be abled when you register and then suddenly become differently-abled. How can the Comelec know if differently-abled ka na 'pag hindi kami iniinform?" he said.

Voters must also proactively seek help from Comelec officials instead of relying on well-meaning but misinformed people.

"We do not have poll workers who will deliberately ignore persons who need help," Jimenez said. "Kung hindi ka natulungan, siguro ibig sabihin 'di ka naka-attract ng atensyon ng taong pwedeng tumulong sa inyo. Kaya nga po ang advice namin is to go to a help desk."

"Bago tayo magreklamo na walang tumulong sa amin, siguro subukan po nating tingnan 'yung official means of providing assistance, kasi otherwise unfair naman po 'yun. May mga tao po diyang nakabantay para tumulong." —KG, GMA News