R E C E I V E D

Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

Manila

RULES AND REGULATIONS SIXTO S. BFULLANTES, JR. RENE V. SARMIENTO

@ FOR VOTING OF PERSONS

LUCENITO N. TAGLE tyske;r WITH DISABILITIES ssioner

(PWDs) AND FOR THE -0 C. VELASCO C mmissioner ELIAS R. WSOPW ssioner

ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIAN ROBERT S. LIM

ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES IN CONNECTION t 1

WITH THE MAY 13, 2013 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS. x ....................................... x Promulgated: June 29, 2012

RESOLUTION NO. *:< W"

WHEREAS, the Philippines is a State Party to the Convention on the

Rights of Persons with DisatjiIities'(CRPD) which reaffirms that Persons with

Disabilities (PWDs) enjoy the same human rights as everyone;

WHEREAS, the CRPD not only clarifies that ;States should not

discriminate against PWDs, it also set out many steps that States must take to

create an enabling environment so they can enjoy real equality in society;

WHEREAS, even prior to becoming a State Party to the CRPD in 2008,

the Philippines has already enacted Republic Act 7277 in 1995, otherwise known

as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons as amended by Republic Act 9442 in

2007, which affirms its commitment to the full participation and total integration of

PWDs into the mainstream of society; L. 5-

WHEREAS, the Commission on Election, as a matter of policy of affording

PWDs an equal access to electoral processes, promulgated 'resolutions

pertaining to PWDs' exercise of the right to suffrage such as Resolution 9220

and Minute Resolution 11-0708 in accordance to their rights to participation in

political and public life;

WHEREAS, accessibility of polling places to PWD voteis on election day

is an obligation of the State to ensure "equalityV.gnd "full participation" of PWDs

in social life, development and in particular to the exercise of their right to

suffrage;

WHEREAS, this Resolution provides the guidelines for voting of PWDs

and for the establishment of accessible polling places and providing other forms

of assistance for PWDs in selected voting centers on election day to ensure that I

I

they enjoy the right to suffrage on equal basis with others;

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the

Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code and other related election laws, the

Commission on Elections HEREBY RESOLVES to promulgate the following

rules and regulations on PWD voting:

RULE l INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

SECTION I. Definition of Terms. As used in this Resolution, the term:

(A) Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) shall include those who have

long-term physical, mental, intellectual o r sensory impairments,

which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and

effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. For

purposes of this Resolution, PWDs shall include those with any of

the following disabilities, which hamper the full enjoyment of the

right to suffrage:

(i) Physical - Pertains to conditions associated with muscular ' I:\

or skeletal functions that limit a person's performance of

activities associated with movement, both the person himself

andlor of objects.

(ii) Hearing - Pertains to conditions associated to the auditory

senses that can manifest as partial or complete loss of

hearing.

(iii) Speech - Pertains to conditions related to difficulties i n

communicating through speech. 4

(iv) Visual - Pertains to conditions associated with visual

senses that can manifest as partial or complete loss of sight,

among others.

(v) Non-Manifest - ' Pertains to conditions that are not

immediately apparent but may need assistance from the

COMELEC. 4

I

(B) Special Board of Election lnspectors for PWDs (SBEI-PWD)

shall refer to the special body which conducts the election in the

accessible polling place usually composed of three (3) public

school teachers appointed by the Commission. Every SBEI-PWD

shall have a support .staff depending on the number of PWDs

assigned to the accessible polling place.

(C) ' A~cessible Polling Place for PWDs shall refer to the place where

the Special Board of Election Inspectors for PWDs (SBEI-PWD)

conducts its proceeding and where the PWDs cast their votes on

election day. I

(D) Election Day Computerized Voters List for PWDs (EDCVL-

PWD) shall refer to the final list of registered PWD voters who are

voting through the accessible polling places established in selected

voting centers (containing the voter's photographs, signatures, and

thumb prints) used on the day of the elections wherein the voters

must imprint their thumb marks and affix their signatures After

casting their votes duly certified by the SBEI-PWD.

d

(E) Posted Computerized Voters List for PWDs (PCVL-PWD) shall

refer to the final list of PWD voters (containing the voters names,

addresses and precinct numbers) posted in each accessible polling

place.

(F) Voting center shall refer to the building or place where the polling

place is located.

(G) Precinct shall refer to the unit of territory for the purpose of voting.

SECTION 2. Who are Entitled to Avail of the Accessible Polling Place

for PWDs. - The following shall be entitled to vote in the accessible polling

place for PWDs: I

I

(A)PWDs who checked the box containing "Disabled1 Person with

Disability" in their application for registration and who have an active

registration status.

(B) PWDs who have previously .registered but have not indicated the type

of disability, or who may have developed1 manifested such disability

after having been registered AND subsequently UPDATED THEIR

RECORDS by accomplishing the Supplementary Data at the Office of

the Election Officer.

Further, only those PWDs whose names appear in the EDCVL-PWD

andlor PCVL-PWD may vote in the accessible polling place.

. RULE 11. COMMITTEE ON PWD VOTING

SECTION 1. Creation. A Committee on PWD Voting shall be created and

composed of the following:

Chairman : Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento . .

Vice- Chairman : , Dir. Esmeralda iadra Law Department

yla

Members ' : Dir. Divina Blas-Perez Education and Barangay Affairs Department. -

Engr. Vergil Soriano Election Records and Statistics Department

: Ms. Rena Sabio Administrative Services Department

: Ms.'Melanie Cruz Disbursing Officer

: Mr. Raul Bautista Information and Technology Department

: Ms. Emma Masongsong Education and Information Department

I I

: Dir. Eduardo Mejos Finance

Atty. Rexie May Magsano Office of the Committee Chairman

: Ms. Maty Loren Valdivia Office of the Committee Chairman

Ms. Mila Tamonan Office of the Committee Chairman

: Mr. Paul Angeles Office of the Committee Chairman

: One (1) Representative from the Office of Comm. Lucenito N. Tagle

: One (1) Representative from the Office of Armando C. Velasco

. .

: One (1) Representative from the Office of Elias R. ,Yusoph

: One (1) Representative from the Office of Comm. Christian Robert S. Lim

P . .

SECTION 2. Powers and functions of the Committee. The committee

shall oversee and ensure the implementation of all COMELEC resolutions

pertaining to PWD voting and shall have the following powers and functions: A A'

(A) Identify the voting centers wheredhe accessible polling place will be

established. Accessible polling places shall be established, as far as

practicable, in voting centers which have two or three-storey buildings.

(6) Identify the total number of PWDs in the voting centers where an

accessible polling place shall be established. . . .

k

(C)Prepare, in coordination with the Information Technology Department,

the Election Day Certified Voter's List for PWDs (EDCVL-PWD) per

accessible polling place.

(D)Determine the election paraphernalia, the number of SBEI-PWD and

support staff required in the accessible polling places. I

(E) Ensure that the EDCVL-PWD are properly distributed at the accessible

polling places.

(F) Perform and exercise such other powers and functions as may be

necessary for the proper implementation of COMELEC resolutions and

rules on PWD voting.

RULE Ill. ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES FOR PWDs

SECTION 1. Accessible Polling Places for PWDs. The accessible

polling place for PWDs shall be constituted by maintaining the existing precinct

assignment of the PWD but the polling place shall be assigned at the ground

floor of the voting center. The accessible polling place should be established in

an area spacious enough to accommodate more than 10 PWD voters at a given

time and considers the mobility requirements of PWDs particularly those who are

wheelchair users.

The Election Officerts shall determine the voting centers wher; an

accessible polling place shall be established subject to the approval of the

.. Education and Barangay Affairs Department. The number of accessible polling ,. f

places to be established per voting center shall be based on the number of

registered PWD voters assigned in a particular voting center. -

In the determination which voting centers will have an accessible polling

place, the Election Officer must first designate regular polling places which have

PWD voters at the ground floor. In case that the regular polling places which

have PWD voters cannot all be assigned at the ground floor, the Election Officer

shall recommend that an accessible polling place be established in the

respective voting center.

The accessible polling place, as far as practicable, shall be free of

any physical barriers and provides the necessary mobility,

communications, visual and other forms of assistance for the PWDs.

f I

PWDs who were not able to indicate that they have a disability in their

application forms or were unable to update their records shall vote in the regular

polling place where they will be provided an express lane and assistar.

SECTION 2. Assistance provided at the Accessible Polling Place. - The following assistance, as far as practicable, shall be provided at the

accessible polling place -

(A). Assistor - In case the voter cannot accomplish the ballot by

himself, the assistor shall be the one to mechanically accomplish the ballot

pursuant to the orders and directions of the voter.

Said person may be assisted in the.preparation of his ballot by any person

who is a:

(i) Relative within fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity; . .

(ii) Any person of his confidence who belong to the same household;

1

(iii) Any member of the SBEI-PWD.

All assistors must be of voting age. *

No person may assist a PWD more than three (3) times, except the

members of the SBEI-PWD.. -

In all cases, the poll clerk shall first verify from the PWD whether helshe

had authorized the assistor to fill-up hislher ballot.

The assistor shall, in the presence of the PWD voter, -prepare the ballot

using a ballot secrecy folder. e

The assistor shall bind himself in writing and under oath to fill the ballot

strictly in accordance with the instructions of the voter and not reveal the

contents thereof, by affixing his signature in the appropriate space in the

Minutes of Voting.

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(B) Communication assistance - Assistance such as sign language

interpretation, or the use of writing materials and papers to communicate,

or any other mechanism that allows persons with disabilities related to

speech andlor hearing to communicate their concerns to the SBEI-PWD

and vice-versa.

(C) Visual assistance - Assistance provided such as reading aloud of

the printed instructions and forms, providing recorded voice instructions,

printing of voting instructions in large letters or any other mechanism that

can.be utilized by the persons with disability related to sight.

The Commission, through the Election Officer, shall designate members ..,

of the accredited citizens' arms who may assist PWDs in the accessible

polling place.

Section 3. Establishment of a Waiting Area for PWDs inside the

Voting Center which has an Accessible Polling Place. - The Election Officer

in coordination with the principal or administrative officer of the voting center shall

establish a waiting area for PWDs inside the voting center preferably near the

gate or a classroom beside the accessible polling place.

The Election Officer may coordinate with the local government units to

ensure that tents and chairs will be provided in the waiting area. , A t

Section 4. Preparation of the EDCVL- PWD and PCVL- PWD. - The

EDCVL-PWD shall be prepared by the ITD containing the names of all registered

PWDs who are voting through the accessible polling places established in

selected voting centers. The PCVL-PWD shall be prepared by the concerned

Election Officer.

SECTION 5. Persons Allowed lnside the Accessible .Polling Places. - Only the following shall be allowed to enter the accessible polling places:

(A) Members and support staff of the SBEI-PWD;

(B) Watchers who shall stay only in the space reserved for them;

(C)Monitorihg groups (maximum60f 2 per accessible polling place) who r I

shall stay in the space for watchers;

. ' (D).Representatives of the CommiSsion on Human Rights; 1

,(E) Representatives of the commission on Elections;

(F) PWDs accomplisQng their balipts;

: . . (G)PWDs waiting for th6i.i turn to&$omplish their ballots;

(~)A.ssiktors;:' ' i . .

z (I) Other persons who may be specifically authorized by the Commission.

SECTION 6. Persons Not Allowed Inside Accessible Polling Place. - " h

Unless specifically authorized by the Commission, it is unlawful for the following

to enter any polling place or stay within a radius of fifty (50) meters thereof,

except to vote:

(A)Any officer or member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the

Philippine National Police;

(B)Any peace officer' or any armed person belonging to any extra-legal

police agency, special forces, reaction forces, strike forces, Civilian

Armed Force Geographical Units, barangay tanods or other similar

forces or paramilitary forces, including special forces, and security

guards.

1:4-

(C)AII other kinds of armed or,unarmed extra-legal police forces; and

-

(D)Any candidate or barangay official, whether elected or appointed.

However, the SBEI-PWD may, by a majority vote, if it deems necessary,

order in writing the detail of a policeman or any peace officer for its protection or

for the protection of the election documents and paraphernalia.. Such order shall

be entered in the Minutes. Said policeman orqeace officer shall stay outside the

polling place near enough to be easily called by the BE1 at anytime. In no case

shall the said policeman or peace officer hold any conversation with any voter or

disturb or prevent or in any manner'obstruct the free access of the voters to the

polling place.

RULE IV SPECIAL BOARD OF ELECTION INSPECTORS, SUPPORT STAFF,

WATCHERS AND MONITORING GROUPS

SECTION 1. Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI-PWD) and

Support Staff per Accessible Polling Place. - The Commission, through its

Election Officer in districts/cities/municipalities where an accessible polling place . .

is established, shall constitute the SBEI-PWD in accordance with the period

provided in the calendar of activities for the elections. Special Education (SPED)

teachers shall be prioritized in the assignment to the accessible polling place.

In addition, the Election Officer shall designate support staff for every . .

accessible polling place. .

The SBEI-PWD and its support staff .shall have the same qualifications

and shall be appointed in the same manner as the regular BEl.

SECTION 2. Powers and Functions of the SBEI-PWD. The SBEI-PWD

shall: 1

(A) Receive and bring the needed election paraphernalia to the accessible

polling place on election day; .C

(B) Receive from the SBEI-PWD support staff (assigned pec accessible

polling place) the precinct -specific ballots (per precinct) contained in a

properly sealed and signed envelope;

(C)Conduct only the voting in the accessible polling place (the scanning

and counting shall be done in the PWDs respective precinct);

(D)Seal and sign the envelopes containing the filled-up ballots (per

precinct) and hand .itto the SBEI-PWD support staff for counting in the

PWDs respective ptecinct; '

(E) Act as deputies of the Commission on the conduct of the elections;

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(F) Maintain order within the accessible polling place and its premises;

keep access thereto open and unobstructed; and enforce obedience to

its lawful orders.

(G)Perform such other functions prescribed by law or by the rules and

regulations promulgated by the Commission.

SECTION 3. Duties of the SBEI-PWD Support Staff. - There shall be

one (1) SBEI-PWD support staff for every accessible polling place. The number

of the support staff may be increased depending on the number of PWDs

assigned ti, the accessible polling place.

The SBEI-PWD support staff shall:

(A) Collect the ballots of the PWDs assigned to the accessible polling

place from the different clustered precincts in the voting center.

(B) Bring the collected ballots to the accessible polling place in the same

voting center.

(C) Return for counting the accomplished . . ballots to the BE1 of the different

clustered precincts where the same ballots were taken on election

day.

wF . . ..

The watchers shall accompany the SBEI-PWD support staff from the

accessible polling place to the regular polling places of the PWDs, then from the

regular polling places to the accessible polling place and, finally, from the

accessible polling place to the regular polling place.

SECTION 4. Proceedings of the SBEI-PWD. - The meeting of the SBEI-

PWD shall be public and shall be held in the accessible pollingplace designated

by the Commission. t

SECTION 5. Voting Privilege of the SBEI-PWD. - Members of the SBEI

-PWD who are not availing of the Local Absentee Voting may, on election day,

vote in the precincts where they are registered, provided that their absence in the

accessible polling place shall not be more than thirty (30) minutes and that they

schedule their voting so that only one qembes of the SBEI-PWD shall leave at

any one time.

SECTION 6. Prohibition Against Political Activity. - No member of the

SBEI-PWD or its support staff (per accessible polling place) shall engage in any

partisan political activity or take part in the election except to discharge his duties

as such.

SECTION 7. Honoraria of the SBEI-PWD and their Support Staff. - The SBEI-PWD and support staff shall receive honorarium/allowance and other

emoluments as may be authorized by the Commission.

SECTION 8. Official Watchers of Candidates, Political Parties and

Other ~ roups . - Each candidate and registered political party or coalition of

political parties duly registered with the Commission and fielding candidates in

the election, as well as duly accredited citizen's arms may appoint two watchers,

to serve alternately, in every special polling place. However, candidates for

Senator, candidates for Member, Sangguniang Panlalawigan or Sangguniang

Panlungsod, or Sangguniang Bayan, belonging to the same ticket or slate, shall

collectively be entitled to one watcher.

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Duly accredited citizens' arms of the Commission shall be entitled to

appoint a watcher in every accessible polling place. Other civil, professional,

.. business, service, youth, and other similar organizations, with prior authority of id

the Commission, shall be entitled collectively to appoint one watcher in every

special polling place. -

If, because of limited space, all watchers cannot be accommodated in the

accessible polling place, preference shall be given to the watchers of the

dominant majority and dominant minority parties as determined by the

Commission and the watcher o f the citizens' arm, with the latter being given

preferential position closest to the SBEI-PWD. In case there are two or more

citizen's arm, the one authorized by the Commission to conduct an unofficial

count shall be given preference.

SECTION 9. Qualifications of Watchers. - No person shall be appointed

watcher unless he: I I

(A) Is a registered voter of the city or municipality;

(B) Is of good reputation;

(C)Has not been convicted by final judgment of any election offense or of

any other crime;

(D)Knows how to read and write Filipino, English or the prevailing local . .

dialect;

(E) Is not related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to

the chairman or to any member of the SBEI-PWD in the accessible

polling place where helshe seeks appointment as watcher; and

(F) Is not a voter assigned in the accessible polling precinct.

SECTION 10. Rights and Duties of Watchers. - Upon entering the

accessible polling place, the watchers shall deliver to the chairman of the SBEl -

PWD their appointment as watchers, and their names shall forthwith reco,rd in

the Minutes of Voting with a notation under their signatures that they are not

disqualified to serve as such under the immediately preceding Section. The -- appointments of the watchers shall bear the signature of the candidate or duly

authorized representative of the party, organization or coalition that appointed

them. For this purpose, at least fifteen (15) days before election day, -

independent candidates, registered parties, organizations, or coalitions

authorized by the Commission to appoint watchers shall provide the Election

Officers concerned with the names and signatures of their representatives

authorized to appoint watchers in the city or municipality and special polling

places in jail in said city I municipality.

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The watchers shall have the right to:

(A) Witness and inform themselves of the proceedings of the SBEI-PWD;

(B) Take note of what they may see or hear;

(C)Take photographs of the proceedings and incidents, if any, during the

voting in the special polling places in jails;

@)File a protest against any irregularity or violation of law which they

believe may have been ,committed by the SBEI-PWD or by any of its

members or by any person, and

(E) Obtain from the SBEI-PWD a certificate as to the filing of such protest

and the resolution thereof. .

Watchers shall not speak to any member of the SBEI-PWD, or to any

voter or among themselves, in ,such manner as would disturb the proceedings of

the SBEI-PWD.

SECTION 11. Monitoring Groups, Observers and Media

Representatives. - Monitoring groups duly accredited by the Commission shall

be allowed access to the accessible polling places to observe the proceedings;

Provided, said groups present the necessary identification to the SBEI-PWD;

Accredited media representatives and foreign observers shall also be . . .

allowed access to the accessible 'polling places upon presentation of the

necessary identification to the SBEI-PWD.

SECTION 12. Documentation and Communication Devices Allowed in I Accessible Polling Places. -Watchers, members of the SBEI-PWD, SBEI!PWD

'

support staff, and COMELEC representatives shall be allowed to bring cameras,

cellular phones and laptops in the accessibl'e polling places. Provided: These * I A /

devices are to be used exclusively for official documentation and communication

purposes; Provided further; That the secrecy of the ballots shall be respected - at

all times.

RULE V ELECTION FORMS AND SUPPLIES

* SECTION I. Election Forms, Documents and Supplies. - Except

when authorized to do earlier by the Commission, the SBEI-PWD shall get the

forms, documents and supplies early in the morning of election day. The

CitylMunicipal Treasurer shall distribute the following forms, documents and

supplies to the SBEI-PWD of the accessible polling place of the citylmunicipality.

FROM THE CITY 1 MUNICIPAL TREASURER

CEF NO. I DESCRIPTION I RATE OF DISTRIBUTION I I

ELECTION FORMS

A1 2 Paper Seal

"

. .

A30lA3 1

A35

A39

A40

EXPANDABLE ENVELOPES . .

10

10

10

10

Temporary appointment of ChairmanIPoll Clerwhird MemberISupport Staff Certificate of Challenge or Protest and Decision of the SBEI-PWD. Oath of Voter Challenge for Illegal Acts Oath of Identification of challenged Voter

(NO. Clustered

of

Precincts with PWD voters ) x (2)

For the ballots from the precincts with PWD voters

Pieces

Pieces

Pieces

Pieces t

SUPPLIES

Piece

OTHER FORMS

(NO. Clustered

of

precincts with PWD Voters ) x (2)

Pieces I Bond Paper (Long)

Pieces

@-

30

FROM THE ELECTION OFFICER

a) One set of the EDCVL-PWD for each accessible polling place;

Ballot Secrecy Folder

Thumbprint Taker

Indelible Stain Ink

Instruction to Voters

Marking Pens

Ball pen

b) Copies of Appointment and Oath of Office of the SBEI-PWD and.

Support Staff (A5 & A5-A);

22

1

2

1

2

6

c) Two sets of PCVL-PWD .

Pieces

Piece

Bottles

Piece

Boxes

Pieces

The SBEI-PWD shall carefully check the different election forms,

documents and supplies and the quantity actually received. The SBEl -PWD

shall sign a Certificate of Receipt (A14) in three copies, the original of which shall

be delivered to the CitylMunicipal Treasurer, who shall transmit the same to the

ERSD, COMELEC, Manila, immediately after election day.

SECTION 2. Forms to be Reproduced When Needed. - The following

forms may be reproduced when needed: .

(A).Temporary Appointment of ChairmanIPoll ClerkIMember (Annex "A");

(B) Certificate of Challenge or Protest and Decision of the BE1 (Annex "Bn);

(C) Oath of Voter Challenged for Illegal Acts (Annex "C"); and

(D) Oath to identify a challenged Voter (Annex "D)

RULE VI PROCEDURES OF VOTING

SECTION I. Date and Time of PWD Voting. Voting for all qualified

PWDs shall take place on the same date as the national and local elections is

conducted. 1

lAF

SECTION 2. Preliminaries to the Voting,

(A) Regular poll in^ Places with PWD Voters: Before the voting in the

regular polling places, the Chairman of the BE1 using the EDCVL-PWD as

reference shall annotate the PWDs' names in the EDCVL with "PWD voter" and

shall affix his initial beside the'annotation. The number of PWD voters and the

fact that their names were annotated with "PWD" shall be .entered into the

Minutes of Voting. +

Upon the arrival of the SBEI-PWD Support Staff, the Chairman of the BE1

shall count and segregate the ballots allocated for PWD voters in the presence of

the former and thereafter insert the same in a folder. The BE1 shall place the

folder inside an envelope carried by the Support Staff and close the envelope.

The BE1 shall then seal the envelope using the paper seal (also brought by the

Support Staff of the SBEI-PWD). The BEI shall affix their initials on the paper

seal and turn it over to. the SBEI-PWD support staff.

The BE1 shall then enter into the Minutes of Voting the name of the SBEI-

PWD Support Staff, the number of ballots received, the serial number of the

paper seal of the envelope and the time the latter picked up the ballots. The BE1

shall require the SBEI Support Staff to sign the entry. The chairman of the BE1

shall then announce to the public that the ballots of PWD voters shall be

transferred by the SBEI-PWD support staff to the accessible polling place.

Thereafter, the support staff shall immediately deliver the ballots to the

accessible polling place. . .

(B) Accessible Polling Places: The SBEI-PWD and all the support staff

shall meet at the accessible polling place at six'b'clock in the morning of election

day.

The SBEI-PWD shall give to the support staff the envelopes [with one (1)

paper seal] for each clustered precinct with PWD voteris in the voting center

where the latter is assigned. Upon receipt of the envelopes, the Support Staff

shall leave the accessible polling place escorted by the watchers and monitoring

groups.

L/.r b

The SBEI-PWD shall ensure that the accessible polling place is ready for '

the voting. -

i) The SBEI-PWD shall ensure that a table shall be provided on which

the envelopes (per precinct) are placed and where PWDs shall insert

their accomplished ballots; and

ii) The SBEI-PWD shall post the PC\/L-PWD near or at the door of the

accessible polling place.

Upon the arrival of the envelopes, the chairman of the SBEI-PWD in the

presence of the other members, shall open the same and count the number of

ballots. The fact and time of arrival and the number of ballots shall be entered

into the Minutes of Voting. The chairmap of the SBEI-PWD shall then announce

to the public that the ballots of PWD voters had been received.

SECTION 3. Manner of Obtaining Ballots, The voter shall:

(A) Look for his name in the PCVL-PWD posted near the door of the voting

center and determine histher precinct number and sequence number;

(8) Approach the SBEI-PWD, give histher name and address and

sequence number, together with the other data concerning hisker

person; . .

(C) The SBEI-PWD shall verify if the name of the voter is in the EDCVL-

PWD. If the name of the PWD voter is in the EDCVL-PWD, hislher

identity shall then be established through the following:

i. Hislher photograph in the EDCVL-PWD or specimen

signatures in the Voters Registration Record (VRR) or any

authentic document which may establish his identity except

barangay certificate or community tax certificate; or

ii. In the absence'of any of the above-mentioned proof of

identity, any member of the SBEI-PWD may identify under

d

oath .such voter, and such act shall be reflected in the

Minutes of Voting. -

iii. If the SBEI-PWD.is satisfied with hislher identity, the name

of the voter shall be distinctly announced in a tone loud

enough to be heard throughout the polling place.

Otherwise, the voter shall be directed to leave the

accessible polling plaoe after informing the PWD the

reason thereof. If the voter is not challenged, or having

been challenged, the question has been decided in his

favor, the voter shall be allowed to vote.

Such fact shall be duly recorded in the'~inutes of Voting.

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(D) Before giving the ballot to the voter, the chairman of the SBEI-PWD . .

shall:

i. Check if any of the fingernails of.the voter has already been stained

with indelible ink. If stained, it shall be a conclusive presumption that

the voter has already cast his vote. As such, the voter shall be

directed to leave the polling place after informing him the reason

thereof. This fact, including the name and the precinct of the voter,

shall be recorded by the Poll Clerk in the Minutes of Voting. The

chairman must also indicate the reason given by the voter why hislher

fingernails were stained with indelible ink; '

ii. After verifying that no finger nail has been stained, affix hislher

signature in the EDCVL-PWD;

iii. Authenticate the ballot by affixing hislher signature at the

designated space at the front thereof.

The failure to authenticate the ballot shall not invalidate the ballot

but shall constitute an election offense. f

iv. Instruct the voter on how to fill-up the ballot properly;

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v. Insert the ballot in the secrecy folder in such a manner that its face

is covered, except. for the portion, where the signature in the ballot -

appears, and give the ballot to the PWD voter.

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Only the chairman of the SBEI-PWD shall issue the official ballots, and not

more than one ballot shall be issued at one time.

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SECTION 4. Manner of Voting. - Voting shall be conducted in the

following manner:

(A)The PWD shall accomplish the ballot, using the ballot secrecy folder in

accordance with the.General Instructions for Voting; 4

(B)After accomplishing his ballot, the voter shall then approach the table

where the envelope for his precinct is placed and insert the same into

the said envelope;

(C)SBEI-PWD shall apply indelible ink at the base and extending to the

cuticle of the right forefinger nail of the PWD voter, or any other nail if \

there be no forefinger nail;

(D)The voter shall affix hislher thumb mark on the corresponding space in

the EDCVL-PWD; and

(E) The voter shall then leave the accessible polling place.

SECTION 5. Challenge Against Illegal Voters. - Any voter or watcher may

challenge any person offering to vote for:

(A)Not being registered;

(B)Using the name of another; ' . .

(C)Suffering from any existing disqualification 1

In such case, the SBEI-PWD shall satisfy itself as to whether or not the , -

ground for the challenge is true by requiring priof of registration, identity or i * . , 0s

qualification. The SBEI-PWD shall identify the PWD through his photograph,

fingerprint or specimen signatures in the EDCVL-PWD In the absence of any of

the above-mentioned proof of identity, any member of the SBE~~PWD may

identify under oath a voter, and such act shall be reflected in the Minutes of

Voting.

SECTION 6. Challenge Based on Certain Illegal Acts. - Any watcher

may challenge any PWD offering to vote on tQe ground that the PWD voter:

(A)Received or expects to receive, paid, offered or promised to pay,

contributed or promised to contribute money or anything of value as

consideration for his vote or for the vote of another; or

(B)Made or received.a promise to inflqence the giving or withholding of 4

any such vote; or

(C)Made a bet or is interested directly or indirectly in a bet that depends

upon the results of the election.

In such case, the challenged PWD shall take an oath before the SBEI-

PWD that he has not committed any of the acts alleged in the challenge. Upon . , .

taking such oath, the challenge shall be dismissed and the PWD shall be

allowed to vote. In case the PWD refuses to take such oath, the challenge shall

be sustained and the PWD shall not be allowed to vote.

SECTION 7. Rules to be Observed During the Voting. - During the

voting, the SBEI-PWD shall see to it that:

(A) The PWD shall vote in a first-come first-served basis;

(B) No watcher shall enter the place reserved for the PWDs and the SBEI-

PWD, nor mingle and talk with the' voters;

(C)No person carrying any firearm or any other deadly weapon, eycept

those expressly authorized by the Resolution or by the Commission,

shall enter the accessible polling place.

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SECTION 8. Prohibition on Voting. It shall be unlawful for a voter to:

(A) Bring the ballot, ballot secrecy folder or marking pen outside the polling

place;

(B)Speak with anyone other than as herein provided while inside. the

accessible polling place;

(C)Prepare his ballot without using'the ballot secrecy folder or exhibit its

contents; . .

(D)Erase any printing from the ballot, or put any distinguishing mark on

the ballot; I

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(E) Use carbon paper, paraffin paper or other means of making a copy of

the contents of the ballot, or otherwise make use of any scheme to

identify his vote, including the use of digital cameras, cellular phones

with camera or similar gadgets; and

(F) Intentionally tear or deface the ballot.

SECTION 9. Sealing of the Envelopes Per Precinct. -After all the PWD

voters in a particular precinct have already voted, the chairman in the presence

of the SBEI-PWD shall:

(A) Count the used and unused ballots, if there are any, and separately

record,in the Minutes of Voting the quantity of used and unused ballots

indicat;'~~ therein the Precinct Number of the ballots; t, I . * . . , : ' :. . ,

b . .<.'P". . ' . . . , , , b. , .

, . ' . ;. .. . , . . .. . . (8) Te&:;.!he unused ballots in half lengthwise and insert them in the

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envel$es containing the filled-up ballots;

(C) Close the envelope containing the accomplished ballots and seal

with paper seal bearing the initials of the SBEI-PWD; ,,16

(D)Hand over the sealed envelope to the support staff for counting to the -

regular polling place ; and

(E) Record in the Minutes of Voting the time, serial number of paper seal

and such other necessary information as to the receipt of the support

staff of sealed envelopels containing the ballots and have it signed by

the support staff concerned. b

(F)Announce to the public that the accomplished ballots with the torn

unused ballots, if there is any, shall be transferred by the support staff

to the regular polling places.

SECTION 11. Disposition of ~lection Documents. - The SBEI-PWD

shall deliver to the Election Officer the' accohplished CertificationIAttestation by

Assistor with Supplementary Data,, EDCVL-PWD, the PCVL-PWD and other

election paraphernalia.

SECTION 12. Counting of 'the PWD Voters' Ballots. - The SBEl -

PWD support staff shall ensure that all ballots of PWD voters reach the regular

polling places where the PWDs are registered not later than 30 minutes after the

last voter has voted.

When the SBEI-PWD support staff reaches the regular polling place, the

BE1 shall enter into the Minutes of Voting the receipt of the sealed envelope and

announce to the public that the accomplished ballots of PWDs and torn unused

ballots, if there is any, from the accessible polling place have been received. The

BE1 will open the envelope only when all the voters in the clustered precincts

have finished voting, and, thereafter, the chairman of the BEI, in the presence of

the other members and watchers shall feed the PWD voters' ballots to the

machine for counting. ~ a i f of the torn unused ballots shall be inserted in the

envelope (A15) that will be submitted to the Election Officer for safekeeping,

half to the other envelope (A15) that will be deposited inside the ballot box. Said

fact shall be entered into the Minutes of Voting.

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RULE VII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION I. Repealing Clause. - All other resolutions inconsistent with the

provisions embodied in this resolution are hereby repealed.

SECTION 2. Effectivity. - This resolution* shall take effect on the fifth (5th)

day after its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the

Philippines.

SECTION 3. Publication and Dissemination. - Let the Education and

Information Department of this Commission cause the publication of this

Resolution in two (2) daily newspapers p f general circulation in the Philippines

and furnish copies thereof to all Regional Election Directors, Provincial Election

Supervisors, Election Officers, Board of Election lnspectors and the Special

Board of Election Inspectors for PWDs.

SO ORDERED,

LE Commissioner commission^

Commissioner

IST TI AN ROBERT S. LIM Commissioner