Philippines

Population Statistics

100,998,376

Total Population

15,149,756

Population with a disability

according to World Health Organization’s 15% estimate

Election Dates

15 April 2008

Ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities


Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines (1985, last amended 2013)

Updated: June 2015

Article XII, section 127 states:

The voter’s affidavit of an illiterate or physically disabled person may be prepared by any relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity of affinity or by any member of the board of election inspectors who shall prepare the affidavit in accordance with the data supplied by the applicant.

 

Article XVI, section 181 states:

…Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, the Commission is hereby empowered to prescribe a different form of ballot to facilitate voting by illiterate voters and to use or adopt the latest technological and electronic devices as authorized under paragraph (i) of Section 52 hereof.

 

Article XVII, section 196 states:

A voter who is illiterate or physically unable to prepare the ballot by himself may be assisted in the preparation of his ballot by a relative, by affinity or consanguinity within the fourth civil degree or if he has none, by any person of his confidence who belong to the same household or any member of the board of election inspectors, except the two party members: Provided, That no voter shall be allowed to vote as illiterate or physically disabled unless it is so indicated in his registration record: Provided, further, That in no case shall an assistor assist more than three times except the non-party members of the board of election inspectors. The person thus chosen shall prepare the ballot for the illiterate or disabled voter inside the voting booth. The person assisting shall bind himself in a formal document under oath to fill out the ballot strictly in accordance with the instructions of the voter and not to reveal the contents of the ballot prepared by him. Violation of this provision shall constitute an election offense.

 

Excerpts from the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines (1985, last amended 2013)

Republic Act 10366: Authorizing Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places ...

Updated: June 2015

Article 3 states:

The State shall guarantee the political rights of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, in line with the concept of universal design, by:

  • (a) Ensuring that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible, and easy to understand and use;
  • (b) Protecting the right of persons with disabilities and senior citizens to vote by secret ballot in elections without intimidation, facilitating the use of assistive and new technologies where appropriate; and
  • (c) Guaranteeing the free expression in the exercise of the right of suffrage, of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, allowing assistance in voting by a person of their own choice.

 

Article 5 states:

The Commission shall keep an updated record of persons with disabilities and senior citizens who are registered as voters, which indicates the types of disability and the assistance they need, to assist it in determining policy directions for more inclusive and accessible electoral processes...

 

Article 6 states:

In designing the forms, the Commission must ensure that persons with disabilities and senior citizens applying for registration, reactivation, transfer, or correction of entry indicate the type(s) of disability, as well as the form(s) of assistance needed. Persons with disabilities and senior citizens who have previously registered but have not indicated the type of disability, or who may have developed or manifested such disability after having been registered, shall be allowed, during the periods to file applications for registration, to update their registration records, and to indicate the type of disability as well as the form of assistance they need during election day. The Commission may design registration forms specifically for persons with disabilities and senior citizens, or issue supplemental forms for the said purpose, and provide for procedures to be followed by those who need to update their registration records.

 

Article 7 states:

A person with disability or senior citizen who cannot by himself or herself accomplish an application for registration, by reason of illiteracy or physical disability, shall be assisted by the Election Officer in the preparation of his or her application form, or by any member of an accredited citizens' arm, or by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or if he or she has none present, by any person of his or her confidence who belongs to the same household.

 

Article 8 states:

The Commission, in coordination with national government agencies and local government units, person with disability and senior citizen organizations, and other cause-oriented groups, shall conduct satellite and/or special registration for persons with disabilities and senior citizens in accessible places.

 

Article 9 states:

The Commission is hereby authorized to establish precincts of a nonterritorial nature, exclusively for persons with disabilities and senior citizens who in their registration records manifest their intent to avail of their right to a separate precinct under this section. Pursuant hereto, the Commission shall establish at least one (1) such precinct, assigned to accessible polling places, for every voting center. Such precincts shall be provided with assistive devices as well as the services of experts in assisting persons with disabilities.

 

Article 10 states:

In designing the ballot, the Commission shall ensure reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities and senior citizens to enable them to accomplish the ballots by themselves.

 

Article 11 states:

A person with disability or senior citizen who is illiterate or physically unable to prepare the ballot by himself or herself may be assisted in the preparation of his or her ballot by a relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or if he or she has none, by any person of his or her confidence who belongs to the same household, or by any member of the BEls. For this purpose, the person who usually assists the person with disability or senior citizen, such as a personal assistant, a caregiver or a nurse shall be considered a member of his or her household…

 

Excerpts from Republic Act 10366: Authorizing Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Seniors (2013)

Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines (1987)

Updated: June 2015

Article V, section 2 states:

…The Congress shall also design a procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote without the assistance of other persons. Until then, they shall be allowed to vote under existing laws and such rules as the Commission on Elections may promulgate to protect the secrecy of the ballot.

 

Excerpt from the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines (1987)