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MANILA, Philippines – On election day, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) went the extra mile to make sure their voices are heard, braving long lines, crowded precincts, and several flights of stairs just to vote.
In Las Piñas, some senior citizens opted to line up using the regular queue, citing fears of electoral fraud. Comelec designated Emergency Accessible Polling Places (EAPP) in various precincts to make voting accessible to senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women.
“Mahirap na, baka dayain nila ‘yan,” Luz Gutierrez from Las Piñas, 72, said. (It’s difficult. They might cheat there.)
Challenges faced by senior citizens were also echoed by Myrna Martinez, a voter from Cebu City. “Napakabagal ng proseso… Iilan palang ang nabibilang diyan na nakakaboto,” she said. (The process is too slow. Only a few are able to vote inside.)
Ballots of those who will vote at the EAPP will be inserted in the vote-counting machine (VCM) by an EAPP support staff. Although officials assured senior citizens that their votes would be safe, many still had doubts. Gutierrez said it would be better if EAPPs have their own VCMs to reduce chances of election fraud.
But in some polling places in Bulacan, there were no designated EAPPs, creating additional difficulties for these vulnerable sectors.
In the town of Sapang Palay in Bulacan, Julio Santillan, 78, asked an election officer if he can cast his vote in the precincts on the first floor. It was not granted.
His son, Jonathan, had to carry him to his precinct on the second floor with the help of other voters.
Despite the difficulties of voting as a PWD, Antonette Isidro, 43, said she hoped that her vote would make a big difference and spark social change.
“Ang boto ko ay para sa aking umaasa na mabigyan ng pantay na oportunidad sa trabaho at sa aking pamilya rin (My vote is for my hope to be given equal opportunities for work and for my family as well),” she said.
Maxima Rey, 73, endured the scorching heat and long lines at Muzon Pabahay Elementary School in Bulacan, which Comelec designated as a precinct for PWDs and senior citizens, as some started to line up as early as 6 AM the morning.
“Ganito na lang lagi kapag bumuboto kami pero ayos lang para sa kinabukasan ng mga apo ko (It’s always like this when we vote but it’s OK because it’s for the future of my grandchildren),” she said.
Below are more photos of senior citizens casting their votes:
– Rappler.com
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