NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Flrst Regu/ar Sesslon
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill was filed during the 18th Congress and was approved by the House of
Representatives.
Many states in America now allow early voting, in which ballots are cast prior to
Election Day. The primary argument in favor of early voting is that it increases turnout by
making it easier to vote.
This bill seeks to provide for early voting in the Philippines for the national and local
elections. ln view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
RUF
S
RO
GUEZ
ln addition to the statistical evidence, early voting is advocated by voting rights groups
whose primary concern is making voting as convenient as possible for voters, because it gives
them significantly more time to complete their ballots or go to the polls.
Some election administrators also prefer early voting because it allows them more time to
process ballots, relieves some of the strain on voting systems that occurs on Election Day,
cuts down long lines, and reduces the number of poll workers needed.
July 8, 2022
3:03 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Firsl Regular Sesslon
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS AND PERSONS
WTH DISABILITIES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines tn Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - lt is hereby declared the policy of the State to make
voting convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDS) by giving them the
option to vote earlier than the date set for the elections,
SEC. 2. Early Voting. - For national and local elections, there shall be early voting where
qualified senior citizens and PWDs may choose to cast their ballot at accessible
establishments designated by the Commission on Elections (COItIELEC) within seven (7)
working days before the date set for the elections.
SEC. 3. Registrafion. - There shall be a nationwide registration for senior citizens and PWDs
to qualify them to avail of this early voting privilege. Those who are not registered under this
Act shall vote on Election Day.
SEC. 4. Obrigafrons of the COMELEC. - To ensure the effective implementation of this Act,
the COMELEC shall:
(a) Keep a record of senior citizens and PWDs who are registered voters;
(b) Design a registration system, in coordination with local government units, the National
Council on Disability Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Health and
the Department of lnterior and Local Government, that allows senior citizens and PWDs to
register and opt for early voting;
(c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to senior citizens and PWDs, and
properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual and physical aids, as mandated under
Republic Act No. 10366 entitled, An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish
Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and
Senior Citizens"; and
(d) Mount an intensive information campaign on early voting for qualified senior citizens
and PWDS.
House Bill No,
SEC 5. Approprtafions. - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act shall be
charged against the current year's appropriations of the COMELEC. Thereafter, the funding
of which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 6. Applicab ility of Other Laws. - The provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 or the
Omnibus Election Code; Republic Act No. 7166, entitled, 'An Act Providing for Synchronized
National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor,
and for Other Purposes"; and other election laws not inconoistent herewith shall be applied to
facilitate early voting for qualified senior citizens and PWDs.
SEC.7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from its effectivity,
the Commission shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.
SEC. 8. Separabiliv Clause. - lf any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain
in force and effect.
SEC 9. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders,
issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are
contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,