Comelec eyes absentee voting for detainees who have not been convicted

MANILA, Philippines -- Thousands of detainees in jails nationwide may be able to vote in next year’s presidential elections.

Chairman Jose Melo said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking at “some sort of arrangement” to allow the detainees —who have not yet been convicted —to take part in the political exercise.

“There may be some necessities for amendments of the law so the detainees could go out and vote, but we are looking at some arrangement to facilitate this,” he said.

Melo said the poll body has previously taken steps to enable the elderly, pregnant women and the disabled to have easy access to the electoral system.

Disenfranchisement is a violation of a person’s right to vote, he added.

The Comelec will adopt the necessary resolution to enable detainees to participate in the 2010 elections, Melo said.

Chairwoman Leila de Lima of the Commission on Human Rights suggested that the Comelec adopt an advanced absentee voting scheme for detainees nationwide.

Ninety-five percent of detainees have the right to vote since they are still awaiting trial and resolution of their cases, she added.

De Lima said 65,000 inmates are in jails nationwide.