Comelec sets satellite registration for inmates, PWDs

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will set up this week special voters registration booths for inmates in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

On Monday, August 6, the poll body officials will head to the NBP in Muntinlupa City to host a satellite registration for inmates. Registrations will start at 8:30 am.

This is pursuant to Comelec Resolution 9371, which allows the following to register for the 2013 elections:

those confined in jail, formally charged for any crime and awaiting or undergoing trial
those serving a sentence of imprisonment for less than one year
those whose conviction of a crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted government such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms laws or any crime against national security or for any other crime is on appeal

Detainees who shall be 18 years old on election day and who are put in detention for at least 6 months immediately preceding the election day may be registered as a voter.

Detainees who are already registered voters may also apply for transfer of registration records.

The registration at NBP follows the off-site voters registration earlier held in various detention and rehabilitation facilities nationwide.

For the 2010 elections, the Comelec said there are 24,000 registered voters who are detained in 414 jail facilities around the country.

Registration for PWDs

On Saturday, August 11, the poll body will host the National PWD Voter Registration Day, wherein satellite registration centers will be installed in easy-to-access places like malls to cater to PWDs. Also, registration of PWDs in Comelec offices will be prioritized.

This is pursuant to Comelec Resolution 9485, which calls for the “establishment of accessible polling places and providing other forms of assistance for PWDs in selected voting centers on election day to ensure that they enjoy the right to suffrage on equal basis with others.”

Comelec has earlier conducted focused registrations for PWDs by regions per month:

March 2012 for Regions VI-VIII
April 2012 for Regions IX-XII and CARAGA
May 2012 for Regions I-V, CAR and NCR

Based on Comelec data, 24,573 PWDs have already registered and updated their biometrics as of June 12.

Comelec has originally set the special PWD registration day this year to July 21 to coincide with the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week from July 17 to 23.

However, registrations from June 25 to July 31 nationwide were suspended to give way to the ARMM general registration. – Rappler.com

View the Elections 2013 Microsite here.