Philippines

Republic Act 10366: Authorizing Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Seniors (2013)

Updated: June 2015

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Article 7 states:

A person with disability or senior citizen who cannot by himself or herself accomplish an application for registration, by reason of illiteracy or physical disability, shall be assisted by the Election Officer in the preparation of his or her application form, or by any member of an accredited citizens' arm, or by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or if he or she has none present, by any person of his or her confidence who belongs to the same household.

 

Article 11 states:

A person with disability or senior citizen who is illiterate or physically unable to prepare the ballot by himself or herself may be assisted in the preparation of his or her ballot by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or if he or she has none, by any person of his or her confidence who belongs to the same household, or by any member of the BEls. For this purpose, the person who usually assists the person with disability or senior citizen, such as a personal assistant, a caregiver or a nurse shall be considered a member of his or her household: Provided, That no voter shall be allowed to have an assistor on the basis of illiteracy or physical disability unless it is so indicated in his or her registration record. Nevertheless, if the physical inability to prepare the ballot is manifest, obvious, or visible, said voter shall be allowed to be assisted in accomplishing the ballot by a qualified assistor, even if not stated or indicated in the registration record…

 

Excerpts from Republic Act 10366: Authorizing Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Seniors (2013)

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Article 3 states:

The State shall guarantee the political rights of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, in line with the concept of universal design, by:

  • (a) Ensuring that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible, and easy to understand and use;
  • (b) Protecting the right of persons with disabilities and senior citizens to vote by secret ballot in elections without intimidation, facilitating the use of assistive and new technologies where appropriate; and
  • (c) Guaranteeing the free expression in the exercise of the right of suffrage, of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, allowing assistance in voting by a person of their own choice.

 

Article 5 states:

The Commission shall keep an updated record of persons with disabilities and senior citizens who are registered as voters, which indicates the types of disability and the assistance they need, to assist it in determining policy directions for more inclusive and accessible electoral processes...

 

Article 6 states:

In designing the forms, the Commission must ensure that persons with disabilities and senior citizens applying for registration, reactivation, transfer, or correction of entry indicate the type(s) of disability, as well as the form(s) of assistance needed. Persons with disabilities and senior citizens who have previously registered but have not indicated the type of disability, or who may have developed or manifested such disability after having been registered, shall be allowed, during the periods to file applications for registration, to update their registration records, and to indicate the type of disability as well as the form of assistance they need during election day. The Commission may design registration forms specifically for persons with disabilities and senior citizens, or issue supplemental forms for the said purpose, and provide for procedures to be followed by those who need to update their registration records.

 

Article 7 states:

A person with disability or senior citizen who cannot by himself or herself accomplish an application for registration, by reason of illiteracy or physical disability, shall be assisted by the Election Officer in the preparation of his or her application form, or by any member of an accredited citizens' arm, or by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or if he or she has none present, by any person of his or her confidence who belongs to the same household.

 

Article 8 states:

The Commission, in coordination with national government agencies and local government units, person with disability and senior citizen organizations, and other cause-oriented groups, shall conduct satellite and/or special registration for persons with disabilities and senior citizens in accessible places.

 

Article 9 states:

The Commission is hereby authorized to establish precincts of a nonterritorial nature, exclusively for persons with disabilities and senior citizens who in their registration records manifest their intent to avail of their right to a separate precinct under this section. Pursuant hereto, the Commission shall establish at least one (1) such precinct, assigned to accessible polling places, for every voting center. Such precincts shall be provided with assistive devices as well as the services of experts in assisting persons with disabilities.

 

Article 10 states:

In designing the ballot, the Commission shall ensure reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities and senior citizens to enable them to accomplish the ballots by themselves.

 

Article 11 states:

A person with disability or senior citizen who is illiterate or physically unable to prepare the ballot by himself or herself may be assisted in the preparation of his or her ballot by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or if he or she has none, by any person of his or her confidence who belongs to the same household, or by any member of the BEls. For this purpose, the person who usually assists the person with disability or senior citizen, such as a personal assistant, a caregiver or a nurse shall be considered a member of his or her household…

 

Excerpts from Republic Act 10366: Authorizing Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Seniors (2013)