A lawmaker filed a bill pushing for the mail voting for senior citizens in the upcoming 2022 elections.
The House Bill 7572 filed by Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo stated that senior citizens are one of the most vulnerable in the current era of the pandemic. Private courier services can be used for mail voting.
According to Quimbo, this is timely, especially since the pandemic is likely to last longer.
Quimbo added that mail voting was also done for OFWs and South Korea, and it was successful, so it can also be done in the Philippines.
It is estimated that up to 9 million senior citizens are registered with the Comelec.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ Commission on Elections (Comelec) has turned down a proposed postponement of the 2022 elections scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez made the assurance to the public that the 2022 elections will push through.
Pampanga Representative Mikey Arroyo on Thursday urged the Comelec to look at postponing the 2022 national elections, adding voters are afraid of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mail voting for senior citizens in 2022 elections pushed
Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun is pushing for a 3-day election as he asked the Comelec to give them a scenario on what the campaign and voting would look like during the pandemic.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., meanwhile, criticized the proposal of Arroyo, saying, “You don’t cancel elections for any reason. That’s treason.”
Jimenez explained: “Sa amin sa Comelec, di namin gagawin ‘yan. Malinaw ang mandato ng Comelec at ‘yan ay ang magpa-conduct ng election (We at Comelec, we won’t postpone the elections. We have a clear mandate and that is to conduct elections).”
The Comelec spokesperson also pointed out: “Medyo ironic naman kung Comelec pa mismo ang magsasabi na huwag natin ituloy ang halalan (It would be ironic if the Comelec would be the one to ask for the elections’ postponement).”
Jimenez also mentioned that they are currently working with Congress to come up with alternative ways of voting as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect countries worldwide.