Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
 HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Many countries are now allowing early voting. It is done to give voters who 
cannot participate in elections during election day an opportunity to still exercise their 
right of suffrage. 
The reality is that there are people who are not available to vote during election 
day for various reasons, including their jobs. Without early voting, they cannot vote 
and voter turn out will be less than desired. Further early voting can also result in less 
congestion of polling precincts during election day which results in more convenience 
for voters, because it gives them significantly more time to complete their ballots or go 
to the polls. Early voting also gives more time to process ballots and relieves some of 
the strain on voting systems that occurs on Election Day. 
Hence, this bill which seeks to provide for early voting in the Philippines for the 
national and local elections.   
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
September 14, 2022
1:00 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
 HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS AND 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It 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 (COMELEC) within seven 
(7) working days before the date set for the elections.
SEC. 3. Registration. - 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. Obligations of the COMELEC. - To ensure the effective implementation of 
this Act, the COMELEC shall: 
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    (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 Interior 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. 
 
SEC 5. Appropriations. – 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. 
 
SEC. 6. Applicability 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 
inconsistent 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. Separability Clause. - If 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,