Registration for PWD and senior citizens next week

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared July 18 to 23 as Persons With Disability National Registration Week as it continues to seek measures for PWDs to enjoy the right of suffrage.

Comelec Provincial Elections Supervisor Officer Lionel Castillano said that aside from PWD, Comelec is also prioritizing the senior citizens to register in preparation for the 2013 national and local elections.

According to Comelec, PWDs are encouraged to go out and register or update their registration records at the Comelec office in their localities.

During the week, PWDs will be given priority.

The PWD National Registration Week is a big start to introduce initiatives in increasing PWDs access to the electoral process.

In a statement, Comelec said PWDs who will miss out the chance to register on the PWD Registration Week can still register any working day until October 31, 2012 at the Offices of the Election Officers.

Comelec has started enlisting applicants for registration, transfer, change of name/correction of entries and validation since May 3, 2011.

Castillano added that in preparation for the 2013 elections, the Comelec officials have conducted of Strategic Planning Seminar Workshop, which is aimed at setting the Commission’s five-year policy direction for 2011-2016.

Among the issues discussed included way to make voters’ education more effective and far reaching by decentralizing the conduct and improving the quality of education materials.

There is also a move to harmonize all election laws, rules and regulations through the passage of a new Omnibus Election Code that is “complete, updated, clear and responsive to the requirements of an automated system.” (FREEMAN)