Comelec to hold hearing on transfer of polling precincts for PWDs

MANILA, Philippines – Come Jan. 4, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold a public hearing and consultation regarding the transfer of polling precincts to shopping malls for the May 9, 2016 polls to ease congestion in public schools.

In a Notice to the Public, the Comelec invited all interested senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to attend the proceedings that will be held at 2 p.m. at the Comelec main office in Palacio del Gobernador building in Intramuros, Manila.

The Comelec is eyeing around two million voters to benefit from mall voting, majority of them the elderly and PWDs.

According to Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista, mall voting will address the common problems during elections, including congestion, power interruption, violence and poor signals.

Bautista said that several malls have committed to participate in mall voting at no cost to the Comelec.

He added that mall operators have also agreed to submit to the control of the Comelec the areas that will be converted into voting centers.

Under the plan, up to four clustered precincts in public schools will be transferred to nearby malls.