1. Assistance to PWDs on Election Day
Atty. Erwin M. Caliba
PPCRV Pre-Election National Conference
March 6-8, 2013
Pius XII Catholic Center

2. International Law
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Sec. 1 & 3, Article 21), 1948
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 25), 1976
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2008

3. Domestic Law 1987 Constitution (Sec. 2, par. 2, Article V), 1987
R.A. No “Voter’s Registration Act of 1996”, 1996
B.P. Blg. 881 “Omnibus Election Code”, 1985
R.A. No “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons”, 1992
R.A “An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens”, signed on February 15, 2013 and to take effect on July 1, 201

4. RA 10366
SEC. 9. Creation of Precincts for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens. – The Commission is hereby authorized to establish precincts of a nonterritorial nature, exclusively for persons with disabilities and senior citizens who in their registration records manifest their intent to avail of their right to a separate precinct under this section. Pursuant hereto, the Commission shall establish at least one (1) such precinct, assigned to accessible polling places, for every voting center. Such precincts shall be provided with assistive devices as well as the services of experts in assisting persons with disabilities.

5. Definition
“Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder them full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”
-- Article 1, UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities, 2008

6. Classification of Disabilities for Election Purposes. 1. Physical. 2
Classification of Disabilities for Election Purposes 1. Physical 2. Hearing 3. Speech 4. Visual 5. Non-manifest
4/21/2017

7. Types of Assistance
1. Assistor 2. Communication Assistance 3. Accessible Precinct 4. Visual Assistance 5. None

8. Updating of Registration Records
- indicating in the Supplementary Data the type of disability and the assistance needed on election day
4/21/2017

9. 3 Ways of pwd voting
4/21/2017

10. Commission on Elections
Polling Place on the Ground Floor
Accessible Polling Place (APP)
Voting in the Assigned Polling Place (PWDs with Unupdated Registration Records)
Commission on Elections

11. Comelec Resolution or the Rules and Regulations for Voting of Persons with Disabilities and for Establishment of Accessible Polling Places in Connection with the May 13, 2013 Elections, June 29, 2012
Assignment of clustered precincts with PWD voters at the ground floor
Establishment of APP in selected voting centers

12. Sec 42, Comelec Resolution No
Sec 42, Comelec Resolution No or the General Instructions for the BEI, February 15, 2013
PWDs, Senior Citizens and Escorted Detainee Voters shall be afforded their right to express lane and made to vote upon arrival

13. accessible polling place
4/21/2017

14. Procedure in the APP

15. Waiting Area in the APP
 Establishment of a Waiting Area for PWDs inside the Voting Center
The EO in coordination with the principal or administrative officer of the voting center shall establish a waiting area for PWDs inside the voting center preferably near the gate or a classroom beside the accessible polling place.
The Election Officer may coordinate with the local government units to ensure that tents and chairs will be provided in the waiting area.  (Sec. 3, Resolution No. 9485)

16. Pilot APPs in 2 Voting Centers in Dasmariñas City
Salawag Elementary School PWD voters
Area E Elementary School PWD voters

17. ASSISTANCE FOR PWDs

18. -PWD or Illiterate voters listed in the EDCVL
Assistor
-PWD or Illiterate voters listed in the EDCVL
- preparation of the ballot and feeding to the machine
Preparation - Assistor must be a relative within the 4th degree of sanguinity or consaguinity, any person of confidence belonging to same household or any member of the BEI
All assistors must be of voting age
No assistor may assist the PWD voters for more than three (3) times except the BEI members

19. Assistor shall, in the presence of the PWD voter, prepare the ballot using a ballot secrecy folder
Assistor shall bind himself in writing and under oath to fill the ballot strictly in accordance with the instructions of the voter and not reveal the contents thereof, by affixing his signature in the appropriate space in the Minutes of Voting.
Feeding - Third Member of the BEI or support staff who make sure the contents of the ballot are not displayed

20. 2. Communication Assistance
- Sign language interpretation, or
- use of writing materials and papers to communicate, or
- any other mechanism that allows persons with disabilities related to speech and/or hearing to communicate their concerns to BEI or SBEI-PWD

21. 3. Physical Accessibility -Accessibility Sign -Ramps with handrails
-Parking /Drop-off point
-Accessibility Sign
-Ramps with handrails
-Rest rooms
-Non-skid flooring

22. PROJECT EASE Ensuring Accessibility of Schools on Elections
Accessibility Audit
Audit Teams formed by Comelec, DPWH, DepEd, NCDA, LGUs, UAP and PWD Sectors

23. 4. Visual Assistance
- Reading aloud of the printed instructions and forms, or
providing recorded voice instructions, or
printing of voting instructions in large letters or
any other mechanism that can be utilized by the persons with disability related to sight. (e.g. Braille) 

24. Note
The Commission, through the Election Officer, shall designate members of the accredited citizens’ arms who may assist PWDs in the accessible polling place. (Section 2, Resolution No. 9845)

25. Conclusion
4/21/2017

26. Mabuhay ang mga PWDs!
Maraming Salamat Po!

27. Photo Credits: Inter-Agency and NGO Network on Empowering PWDs
COMELEC EID
Office of Retired Comm. Rene V. Sarmiento
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