SENIORS' VOTE COUNTS. Officials of the Commission on Elections and the National Commission of Senior Citizens show a copy of the signed memorandum of agreement at the poll body's main office in Intramuros, Manila on Friday (May 17, 2024). The partnership aims to encourage more senior citizens to register as voters through the poll body's Register Anywhere Project. (Screengrab)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) joined forces to encourage more elderly persons to sign up as voters in the 2025 midterm polls.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia and NCSC chairperson Franklin Quijano signed the memorandum of agreement on the measure in simple rites at the poll body's main office in Intramuros, Manila on Friday.
The partnership aims to encourage more senior citizens to register as voters through the poll body's Register Anywhere Project (RAP).
In a speech, Garcia pledged a smooth voting experience for senior citizens and members of the vulnerable sector in the next polls.
"Hindi sapat na meron kang 11.2 million registered na senior citizens, dapat ambisyunin ng Comelec at ng NCSC, ilan sa 11.2 million ang makakaboto, useless 'yung nakapagpa rehistro lang. Dyan mo makikita sa pagboto ‘yung pagnanais ng mga nakatatanda na ayusin ang kinabukasan ng mga kabataan. (It's not enough that you have 11.2 million senior citizens. The Comelec and the NCSC must look at how many of those 11.2 million would be able to vote. Just being a registered voter is useless. Through voting, the elderly express their intentions to fix the youth's future)," he added.
He noted they were also pushing for senior citizens to be able to use internet voting, which will be initially introduced to Filipinos working or living abroad.
The voters will be able to cast their votes using their cellphones, laptop and other gadgets.
“We will be pushing for internet voting for senior citizens same with registered Filipino voters overseas,” Garcia said.
For his part, Quijano acknowledged the Comelec for its efforts to ensure inclusive voter registration efforts.
"The efforts of the Comelec were beyond expectation. Can you imagine, the Comelec going to geographically challenged areas just to have everyone registered? Saludo kami sa Comelec sa efforts (We salute the Comelec for its efforts)," he added.
Voter registration activities nationwide will run until Sept. 30.
During the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, the poll body allowed early voting for persons with disability, senior citizens, and pregnant women in Naga City and Muntinlupa City.
The poll body is looking to implement nationwide mall voting and early voting hours for vulnerable sectors in the May 2025 midterm elections. (PNA)
