Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1523

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN
NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article V, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitutions provides that, “Suffrage may
be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who
are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at
least one year and in the place wherein they propose to vote for at least six months
immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive
requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.”

The right to suffrage is the essence of our democracy. As a means to increase
participation by citizens who are otherwise prevented from voting, the country has
enacted absentee voting laws. Presently, there are laws that allow absentee voting for
Filipinos overseas, media practitioners, armed forces and police force. However, these
still leave another group disenfranchised due to their physical conditions.

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have a significant role to play in nation
building. As such, it is important to ensure that their voices will be heard and their
votes will be counted during elections. Many PWDs face physical, sensory, or cognitive
challenges that make it difficult to wait in long lines, navigate crowded or poorly
designed polling places, or cope with time constraints on election day. Early voting
offers them the flexibility to vote at a time when polling places are less crowded and
staff can provide more focused assistance, allowing them to cast their vote with
dignity and comfort.

Hence, this bill provides for means for PWDs stationed away from their

residences on election days to vote on national elections in the precincts nearest to
them subject to reasonable regulations by the Commission on Election.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.
7:
icah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan
4th District, Quezon

Keith


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1523

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING BY QUALIFIED PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN
NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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 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 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 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:

(a) Keep a record of 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 PWDs to register and opt for early voting;

(c) Ensure that polling places are safe and accessible to 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.


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 Big. 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.

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,