Noy signs laws on PWDs, biometric voter registration

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has signed laws authorizing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to establish precincts for senior citizens and persons with disabilities and provide mandatory biometrics voter registration.

Under Republic Act No. 10366 or An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens, the Comelec must have precincts with assistive devices and services of experts in assisting persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

The Comelec must also assist them in registration, updating of records, accomplishment of application forms, satellite and special registration, ballot design and even the filling up of ballots, the law stated.

On the other hand, RA 10367 or An Act Providing for Mandatory Biometrics Voter Registration was enacted to establish a clean, complete, permanent and updated list of voters through the adoption of biometric technology.

Biometrics refers to the quantitative analysis that provides a positive identification of an individual such as voice, photograph, fingerprint, signature, iris and/or other identifiable features.

The Comelec, in coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs and the Commission on Higher Education, must have sensitivity training programs for those performing electoral duties to familiarize them with the needs of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, the law stated.

Under the new law, the following shall be election offenses punishable under Section 263 and 264 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 881 or the Omnibus Election Code: Any person who shall prohibit, impede, obstruct or prevent a registered voter or a new voter from submitting his or her biometrics for capture through the use of force, intimidation or monetary consideration and any public official or person who, under the guise of implementing this act, shall unjustifiably and without due process, cause the deactivation  or reactivation of any registered voter.