Comelec sets registration day for PWDs

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections has declared July 20 as “National Registration Day for Voters with Disabilities.”

The Comelec en banc granted the request of the National Council on Disability Affairs. The poll body’s resolution has affirmed its commitment to include the PWDs in national and local elections.

NCDA is mandated as the central authority to direct, coordinate and integrate planning and management as well as implementation of all activities, public and private, pertaining to the concerns of persons with disabilities.

With this, election officers nationwide are directed to provide accessible registration venue within their area of jurisdiction in coordination with the organizations of persons with disabilities, in accordance with pertinent provision of Comelec Resolution No. 9853.

Comelec Resolution No. 9853 provides for the “Rules and Regulations on the Resumption of the System of Continuing Registration of Voters, Validation and Updating of Registration Records for the May 9, 2016 Synchronized National, Local and ARMM Regional Elections and other Registration Policies.”

NCDA Acting Executive Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga earlier wrote a letter addressed to Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., reminding the commission on the Proclamation 361 declaring July 17-23 of every year as the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, with the NCDA as the lead coordinating agency.

Zubiaga also stated the request of the organizations of PWDs for full implementation of Republic Act 10366, which provides a special day for registration of voters with disabilities.

“As we are now campaigning for disability inclusive election, this will mark the inclusion of persons with disabilities within the local electoral processes, particularly in registration and voting,” she said.

The Comelec has encouraged barangay captains to provide transportation support for the registration of their constituents with disabilities.

The Committee on PWD Voting and the Education and Information Department were designated to implement the resolution. (FREEMAN)