The Commission on Elections is doing its best to provide easy access to persons with disabilities during the registration of voters and on election day, Negros Oriental Provincial Election supervisor, Eddie Aba, assured PWD supporters.

Aba, one of the speakers at the launching of the Fully Abled Nation program of the Asia Foundation, in Silliman University, Dumaguete, yesterday, said that COMELEC offices on the second level of buildings have been relocated to the main floor for the convenience of PWDs registering for the 2013 election that is ongoing until October 31.

The number of approved PWD registrants in Negros Oriental has reached more than 24,000 after the COMELEC made its offices accessible to them, he said, adding that he expects this to still increase, as there are about 60,000 or more PWDs in the province, with at least 30,000 to 40,000 of whom are legal or voting age.

Aba said that, under the law, a PWD can be assisted by the election officer, a relative of the voter within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, a person other than a family member but in the voter PWD’s confidence, who must be known to his or her household, or a special assistor accredited by the COMELEC.*JFP

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