The Commission on Elections has introduced measures to improve electoral access for vulnerable sectors, including early voting for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women.
In Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City — home to one of the largest polling precincts in the Philippines — some members of these groups were able to cast their ballots early.
Photojournalist Vincent Go captured these moments at Commonwealth Elementary School and Commonwealth High School.
The efforts to create a more inclusive voting environment gained momentum in 2008, when advocates for electoral reform joined forces with human rights groups to push for equal access to electoral processes and resources.
Efforts grow stronger when key government officials become active supporters.
In Taguig City, for example, senior citizens and PWDs were offered free transportation to polling precincts.
The conduct of elections on Monday shows that many challenges still remain, however.
At the Bagong Silang Elementary School in Caloocan City, senior citizens are not automatically assigned to the accessible voting areas.
In the same polling precinct, PCIJ witnessed a PWD struggle to climb the stairs to reach his designated polling precinct.
