By ELLEN T. TORDESILLAS
ON Sunday, June 1, the Commission on Elections will be holding a satellite registration for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens of Manila to be held at the Central Section of Rizal Park, the registration will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is not only for voters registration. For those who have registered, they may also validate or update their registration.
Voters are to bring at least one valid ID.
This activity is an implementation of the 2013 Republic Act 10366 authorizing the Comelec to establish precincts assigned to accessible polling places exclusively for persons with disabilities and senior citizens based on the state policy ensuring “that persons with disabilities and senior citizens are able to exercise their right to political participation without discrimination or restrictions. “
The law states that “ the State shall design systems and procedures that will enable persons with disabilities and senior citizens to register and vote by themselves.”
R.A 10366 specifically mandates the Comelec in coordination with national government agencies and local government units, person with disability and senior citizen organizations, and other cause-oriented groups, to “conduct satellite and/or special registration for persons with disabilities and senior citizens in accessible places.”
Comelec also came out of a primer for Sunday’s activity:
Who can register?
At least 18 years old, resident of Manila not less than six months before elections, not yet registered. Bring valid ID.
Who should be validating their registration or doing biometrics capture?
Those who have registered but no or incomplete biometrics data. Bring valid ID.
What is Biometrics and why is this needed?
Biometrics data consist of digital photograph, fingerprint and signature of the voter captured using the Comelec registration machine.
If the voter has no or incomplete biometrics did not validate or undergo biometrics capture before Oct. 15, 2015, his or her earlier voter’s registration will be invalidated and cannot vote in the next election.
For you to know if you have biometrics data, you may coordinate with the Office of the Election Officer where you are registered or you may go to the Comelec website:www.comelec.gov.ph.
Those who have no biometrics are given notice by the Election Officer.
Who are being encouraged to update their records this Sunday?
Registered PWDs and Senior Citizens who did not indicate their type of disability and assistance they may require on Election Day.
In the updating the PWD or Senior Citizen may indicate if they want to vote in the Accessible Polling Place that the Comelec would be designating on Election Day.
How does one update?
Go to Comelec office or the Satellite Registration Center and fill up the Supplementary data Form. Bring valid ID.
In the Supplementary Form, check the type of assistance that you would need on Election Day. If you want to vote in the Accessible Polling Place, check on Yes box.
How about those who are unable to fill up the registration or other forms?
An Election Officer, or a relative, or anybody trusted by the PWD or Senior Citizen may assist her or him in filling up the Application for Registration form.
The Assistor should fill up three copies of the Certification /Attestation by Assistor on the lower part of the Supplementary Data Form.
For more information on Sunday’s satellite registration, please call Emma Masongsong and Leo Lim of the Comelec’s Education and Information Department can be reached at 525-9345.
This is just for Manila. Hopefully other cities and provinces would follow soon.