BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) brought up the idea of installing “special precincts” in the city come barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election Day this May 14.
The SP wants City Election Officer Mavil Sia to study the proposal.
Through a resolution, the SP directed Sia to see if it is possible to set up voting precincts in malls that will accommodate persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens and pregnant women.
Resolution proponent Councilor Bartolome Orola said these “special precincts” will encourage more people to exercise their voting rights.
“Hot, crowded and chaotic atmosphere inside polling precincts oftentimes cause difficulties to the voting public,” stressed Orola.
Some people – especially PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women – choose not to vote due to these “extreme conditions,” the councilor added.
“[They] would just simply chose to forego voting, thereby causing a low voters turnout during election,” Orola said.
He believes that the city government must “enhance the voting experience” by making it “safe, comfortable and convenient.”
Setting special voting precincts will also decongest voters in regular voting precincts in schools, Orola added./PN
