ILOILO – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is urging vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), to take advantage of exclusive voting hours during the May 12 national and local elections.
Atty. Reinier Layson, provincial election supervisor of Comelec-Iloilo, confirmed that a dedicated two-hour window from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. will be allocated for these sectors to cast their votes before the general public.
This initiative is designed to provide an opportunity for those who may face difficulties standing in long lines or enduring the heat of the day.
Layson further said that companions of these individuals will also be allowed to vote within the same window hours.
If members of the vulnerable sector cannot make it during the designated hours, they will still be accommodated during the regular voting period, where they will receive priority.
However, Layson expressed confidence that many seniors and others in the vulnerable sector would embrace the early voting opportunity due to their tendency to wake up early.
Regular voters arriving before 7 a.m. will not be allowed to cast their ballots early, as voting will only begin at 7 a.m. for them, as per the established election protocol.
This new measure follows a successful pilot run during the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
To facilitate smoother voting, Layson also recommended that members of the vulnerable sector prepare a list of their preferred candidates in advance.
The positions to be voted on this May include:
National
* 12 senators
* 1 party-list group
Local
* 1 member of the House of Representatives
* 1 provincial governor
* 1 provincial vice governor
* Sangguniang Panlalawigan
* 1 mayor
* 1 vice mayor
* Sangguniang Panglungsod or Sangguniang Bayan/PN
