Senior Citizens Face Challenges in 2025 Midterm Elections
MANILA, Philippines – Senior citizens encountered notable challenges during the 2025 midterm elections despite efforts to improve voting accessibility. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) highlighted these issues in a recent post-election review, emphasizing gaps that still hinder the elderly from voting comfortably and safely.
The 2025 midterm elections introduced innovations such as early voting hours and priority lanes to ease the process for vulnerable groups. Yet, the DSWD reported that these measures were insufficient in fully addressing the difficulties faced by senior citizens at polling stations in remote and urban areas alike.
Accessibility Gaps Still Present
The DSWD’s evaluation, conducted with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Vulnerable Sectors’ Office, revealed several accessibility shortcomings. These include a lack of medical aids in some precincts, difficulties in locating names on voter lists, and the absence of dedicated vote counting machines for vulnerable voters.
Moreover, the agency stressed the need for additional water stations, accessible restrooms, and proper facilities to assist those with mobility challenges. Such gaps created hurdles that prevented many senior citizens from exercising their right to vote smoothly.
Legal Mandates and Practical Realities
Republic Act 10366 mandates Comelec to provide accessible polling places for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. This law aims to ensure unrestricted participation in elections. However, DSWD Assistant Secretary Ellaine Fallacurna underlined that voting can only be truly meaningful if seniors can do so without struggle or discomfort.
“Voting is a fundamental right — but for our senior citizens, that right is only truly meaningful if they can exercise it safely, comfortably, and without struggle,” Fallacurna said during the forum discussion.
Positive Feedback Amid Challenges
Despite the issues, some voters described the election process as organized and smooth, noting polite and helpful staff. “It’s important that we recognize these good practices — and the people behind them — because they show that inclusive voting is possible,” Fallacurna added.
Similarly, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomed innovations like early voting but pointed out that poor accessibility at many polling centers undermined these efforts. CHR noted missing ramps, lack of shaded waiting areas, non-functioning accessible restrooms, and the absence of wheelchairs in several voting sites.
Voters often faced steep stairs or long waits under extreme heat, further complicating their voting experience.
Voter Turnout and Final Observations
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia reported that approximately 4.8 million voters from vulnerable sectors participated during the early voting hours between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on May 12.
The 2025 midterm elections recorded an historic turnout of 82.20%, with 57.35 million out of 69.67 million registered voters casting ballots. This marks the highest participation rate in the country’s history.
While progress has been made, local leaders and social welfare experts agree more work remains to ensure that senior citizens and other vulnerable groups can vote with dignity and ease.
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