COMELEC assures 'express lane' for PWDs, seniors, pregnant voters

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By APRIL M. MONTES (VHS/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan)

DAGUPAN CITY, May 9 (PIA) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has established express lanes for disabled, elders and expectant mothers in polling centers in this city to provide better accessibility on the concerned sectors on Monday’s national and local elections.

One of those who availed of the special lane is Rafael Tandoc Sr., 70, a senior citizen and orthopedically disabled resident of Barangay Malued here.

“This privilege made the voting experience convenient and hassle-free for us who have special needs,” he told the Philippine Information Agency.

Tandoc is just one of those who continue to exercise their right to political participation despite old age and physical disability.

He trooped to his polling precinct at East Central Integrated School this morning with a desire to take part in the elections without discrimination or restriction.

He said that he prepared a “codigo” so he could easily shade the names of the candidates in his ballot, adding that he picked his candidates based on their platforms that could benefit the people.

On the other hand, Sheila Benitez said casting her vote went smooth and easy in her precinct because of the priority lane given to pregnant women like her at the West Central Elementary School.

“The voting process happened in just a span of five minutes and I don’t have to endure the long queue of voters just like when in supermarkets and stores,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Comelec also instructed the Board of Election Inspectors to give due priority for inmates in the polling queues.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) arrived at around 6:30 a.m. at North Central Elementary School in Barangay Bonuan Gueset here to bring inmates to their respective polling precincts, individually escorted by uniformed guards with sidearms.

This did not cause any panic as this is a normal thing during elections in Bonuan Gueset village, where the BJMP district jail is located.

Based on the data of Comelec in Pangasinan, at least 1, 014 inmates in the province are expected to cast their votes in today’s election.

Section 23 of Comelec Resolution No. 10057 provides that “persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, heavily pregnant women and detainee voters shall be afforded an express lane and be allowed to vote as soon as they arrive.”