FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
’7’ 
JU1. 18 t’ ; 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S. B. No. sENYz! 
9 0 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A “polling place” as defined in the Omnibus Election Code, Section 152, is the building 
or place where the Board of Election Inspectors conducts its proceedings and where the voters 
cast their votes. 
It also provides that “each polling place shall be, as far as practicable, a ground floor and 
shall be of sufficient sixe3 to admit and comfortably accommodate forty voters at one time.. .” In 
line with this, the Magna Carla for Disabled Persons (Republic Act. No. 7277) Section 29 also 
provides that “polling places should be made accessible to disabled persons during national and 
local elections.” 
However, despite these provisions, 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 to provide for a special polling place for the disabled and the 
elderly.’ 
* This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S. B.No. 
SEN‘?Y9 
- 
0 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A SPECIAL POLLING PLACE 
FOR THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as “The Special Polling Act of 2007” 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. -As used in this act, the term: 
(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; 
(B) “Barrier free environment” refers to an area where the special polling place within a 
voting center is located, having such architectural or structural features which 
reasonably enhance the mobility of the disabled and the elderly such as sidewalks, 
ramps, railing, and the like or is easily accessible to wheelchairs; 
(C) “Voting center” refers to the building or place where special polling.. . , . .. 
(D) “Disabled” refers to those persons with physical, physiological or sensory 
impairment, or those persons suflkring 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 none of the 
disqualifications of a voter; and 
(E) “Elderly” re€ers to senior citizeus 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. 
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SECTION 3. Special Polling Places for the Disabled and the Elderly. - The Commission 
011 Elections, in coordination with local government units, concerned government agencies and 
other concerned groups and 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 other relevant information. 
Afterwards, the COMELEC shall provide for a special polling places for the disabled and the 
elderly; Provided, That the number and location of the special polling places shall be determined 
by the outcome of the study; provided further, that the designation of special polIing places shall 
not compromise nor alter the principle or territorial jurisdiction used in election-related activities 
such that no special precincts shall be created for the purpose; provided further, that as a safety 
measure, once the COMELEC determines who among the disabled and the elderly 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 
he/she 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 hi/her 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 accessible to the disabled and the elderly. 
SECTION 4. Information and Education Campaign. - The commission shall conduct an 
information and education campaign for the effective implementation of this act. 
SECTION 5. Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on Elections shall issue the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof i s  held invalid or 
unconstitutional, [he remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 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. 
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approval. 
SECTION 8. ESfectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect immediately after its 
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Approved, 
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