Advance Voting Opportunities extended to Individuals with Disabilities, Elderly, and Pregnant Women
2025 Philippine National and Local Elections: An Inclusive, Modern Voting Experience
🗓️🌟 From May 12, 2025, voters with special needs in Cebu can cast their ballots stress-free, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set early voting hours from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. for senior citizens, people with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women.
🏛️🔒 This nationwide initiative is designed to provide a safer, smoother, and more accessible voting experience, ensuring that everyone has a voice in the election process.
🗣️🏆 Carcar City Election Officer Omar Sharif Mamalinta expressed in a conversation with our reporters and editors that this early voting period is part of their mission to make elections more inclusive and convenient for those who may struggle with long lines or standard voting hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
👨🦼👩🦰 Priority lanes will remain open all day for eligible voters who cannot vote early. In addition, companions registered in the same precinct can cast their votes at the same time as the individuals they assist.
In the spirit of making the 2025 Philippine National and Local Elections more inclusive, technology may be utilized to introduce innovative health-and-wellness apps that offer fitness-and-exercise reminders to encourage voter well-being. To further promote inclusivity, Cebu's science community could propose research projects focused on women's health during pregnancy to better assist pregnant women during the voting process. As the voting experience becomes more modern, it's essential that the Commission on Elections continues to prioritize security measures to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of the elections.
