The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) underscores that free, peaceful, and credible elections are vital to upholding the country’s democratic principles. Ensuring that every Filipino can fully exercise their right to vote is key to fostering an inclusive and sustainable future.

In this regard, the CHR highlights the State’s responsibility to guarantee equal voting rights for all Filipinos through accessible elections and the adoption of human rights-based policies throughout the electoral process. Upholding the right to suffrage is a fundamental duty of the government, as enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, international human rights conventions, and domestic laws.

In a human rights advisory dated 22 January 2025, the CHR detailed its recommendations on protecting every Filipino’s right to participate in public affairs without discrimination, consistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The advisory also cites the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which reaffirms the State’s obligation to ensure accessible voting procedures, facilities, and materials for persons with disabilities, guaranteeing their full and equal enjoyment of the right to vote.

It is also worth noting that the CHR earlier expressed support for the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) issuance of Resolution No. 11116, which classifies discrimination against individuals from vulnerable sectors as an election offense. The CHR considers this resolution a crucial step toward safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that elections are conducted free from harassment, retaliation, or intimidation.[1]

Further, the CHR underscores the continuing relevance of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) during the election period, reminding the State of its duty to ensure that women can participate equally with men in political and public life.

In line with this, the Commission outlines the following key recommendations for the upcoming elections:

a. Ensure the availability and accessibility of information on the electoral process;
b. Guarantee mobility and ease of access to polling places for persons with disabilities, older persons, and pregnant women;
c. Ensure that polling places are accessible to persons with all forms of disabilities, not just physical; and
d. Ground government policies on accurate data on persons with disabilities and older persons, incorporating the lived experiences of these sectors.

These recommendations stem from the CHR’s recent engagement during the Orientation Seminar on Bantay Karapatan sa Halalan 2025 held in November 2024, where the Comelec reaffirmed its commitment to enabling individuals from vulnerable sectors to exercise their right to vote.

This includes the continuation of effective measures and the introduction of new initiatives, such as:

• Establishing Priority Polling Places and early voting hours for persons with disabilities, older persons, and pregnant women;
• Creating Accessible Voting Centers for indigenous peoples;
• Expanding options for in-person, postal, and Internet voting for overseas Filipinos; and
• Enhancing accessibility features in Automated Counting Machines.

As the nation’s independent human rights institution, the CHR remains steadfast in advocating for a human rights-based framework in all aspects of the electoral process, ensuring fairness, inclusivity, and equal participation for all.

Access the full text of the CHR Human Rights Advisory on the Accessibility of Elections, CHR (VI)A2025-002 here: https://bit.ly/HRAAccessibilityElections.###

[1] Statement of the Commission on Human Rights commending the Comelec resolution which tags discrimination as an election offense, 06 March 2025, https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-the-commission-on-human-rights-commending-the-comelec-resolution-which-tags-discrimination-as-an-election-offense/