S E N A T E  
L1U:CEIVED R” :.._ 
Senate Bill NO. 426 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
All citizens of the Philippines not othewise disqualified by law may 
exercise the right of suffrage. Thus, in a similar view, the constitution mandates 
Congress to design a procedure for the disabled and the elderly to enable them 
to exercise their right to vote. 
Moreover, the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons also provides that, 
“polling places should be made accessible to disabled persons during national or 
local elections.” 
As defined by the Omnibus Election Code, a polling place is the building 
or place where the Board of Election Inspectors conducts the proceedings wand 
where the voters cast their votes. 
However, despite the presence of these laws, the accessibility of the 
polling place especially for those registered voters who have physical or sensory 
limitations, has been found to be wanting. 
Thus, the proposed bill seeks td provide for a special polling place for the 
disabled and the elderly. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
7 JUL -2 P I  :-L' 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 426 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A SPECIAL POLLING PLACE FOR THE DISABLED AND 
THE ELDERLY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Shod Title. - This Act shall be known as, "The Special 
Polling Place Act of 2007." 
SEC 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following shall 
mean: 
(a) 
A special polling place refers to the place where the Board of 
Election Inspectors conducts election-related proceedings such 
as registration, voting and the like, that is easily accessible to 
the disabled and the elderly; 
A barrier-free environment refers to an area where the 
special polling place within a voting center is located, having 
been such architectural or structural features which reasonably 
enhance the mobility of the disabled and the elderly such as 
sidewalks, ramps, railings, and the like or is easily accessible to 
wheelchairs: 
Voting centers refer to the building or place; 
Disabled refers to those persons with physical, physiological or 
sensory 
impairment, or 
those 
persons suffering from 
restrictions of different abilities to perform an activity in the 
manner or within the range considered normal to a human 
being and at the same time, possess the qualifications and non 
of the disqualifications of a voter; and 
Elderly refers to sehior citizens who have physical limitations 
due to age or sickness and at the same time possess the 
qualifications and none of the disqualifications of a voter. 


SEC 3. Special Polling Places for the Disabled and the Elderly. - The 
Commission on Elections (Comelec), in coordination with local government units, 
concerned government agencies and other concerned groups or organizations, 
shall conduct a study on the disabled and the elderly in a locality to get data on 
their number, distribution, the extent of their limitations which may restrict their 
ability to participate in election-related activities, and the other relevant 
information afterwards. The Comelec shall provide for special polling places for 
the disabled and the elderly; Provided, That the number and location of the 
polling places shall be determined by the outcome of the study; Provided further, 
That the designation of special polling places shall not compromise nor alter the 
principle of require a special polling place, it shall make a separate list containing 
the name, address, a brief description of the disability or physical limitation, the 
precinct and the city or municipality where helshe belongs, and if already 
available, the voter’s identification number. The list shall be posted one (1) 
month before any election-related activity, in two (2) conspicuous places in the 
city or municipal hall for one (1) week and shall be regularly updated. Those 
included in the list shall only be allowed to use hidher designated special polling 
place while others who are not in the list shall not be allowed to use the same; 
Provided finally, That the special polling places shall be located in a barrier-free 
environment easily available to the disabled and the elderly. 
SEC 4. Information and Education Campaign. - Comelec shall conduct 
an information and education campaign for the effective implementation of this 
Act. 
SEC 5. Rules and Regulations. -The Comelec shall issue the necessary 
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC 6. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder for the Act or the provision not 
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or 
amended accordingly. 
Approved,