LENTE: Vulnerable sector voting has space for improvement

MANILA, Philippines — Election watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) said there remains “much space for improvement” in ensuring fair and accessible elections for vulnerable sectors, including indigenous peoples, senior citizens, and persons deprived of liberty.

In a statement, LENTE emphasized that these issues may be addressed through a “proper and meaningful accessibility audit.”

“Providing accessible elections for the vulnerable sectors requires a holistic, inclusive, and systematic approach which requires looking at multiple aspects of the election including structural accessibility, voter education, and capacity of the officials of the election management body,” it said.

LENTE flagged several issues in the voting process for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), particularly in facilities such as New Bilibid Prison, Correctional Institution for Women, Antipolo City Jail and Cotabato City Jail.

The watchdog also noted recurring issues such as logistical delays, ballot shortages, and the lack of voter awareness regarding procedures at satellite priority polling places (PPPs).

“The inconsistent implementation of voting in PPP led to confusion amongst voters. Specifically, voters were not made fully aware of the unique voting procedures of PPP voting, and that choosing to vote therein instead of the regular polling place remains optional on the part of the voter,” LENTE said.

Despite the challenges, LENTE lauded the increase in accessible voting centers and separate polling places for indigenous peoples, which grew from 37 to 64, which is a 73 percent increase.

This expansion, it said, coincided with a rise in indigenous peoples’ voter turnout, signaling “significant improvement in inclusiveness and access insofar as the exercise of the right to vote is concerned.”