The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) presented its key observations on the voting experience of senior citizens during the Commission on Election – Vulnerable Sectors Office’s (Comelec-VSO) Post-Election Evaluation on Tuesday (June 17) at the Lanson Place, Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Asst. Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna of the DSWD’s Legislative Affairs Group (LAG) congratulated the Comelec for the successful midterm polls last May 12 and commended the over-all safe voting experience of vulnerable groups.

“With the help of our DSWD Field Offices, we deployed 382 personnel on the ground to observe and assist — making sure we had real-time feedback on what worked and what didn’t. The presence of our staff during the election wasn’t just about observing the process — it was about listening to seniors, watching the process unfold, and understanding how the system supported or failed them,” Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna said during the forum discussion.

According to the DSWD official, most of the senior citizens whom agency staff were able to engage appreciated the conduct of early voting hours and the availability of priority lanes for vulnerable groups.

“Some described the process as organized and smooth, with staff politely guiding them. It’s important that we recognize these good practices — and the people behind them — because they show that inclusive voting is possible,” Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna pointed out.

The DSWD field personnel also noticed points for improvement in their assigned polling precincts. These include lack of medical aids in some precincts; the difficulty of finding names in voter’s list; the need for separate vote counting machines for vulnerable sectors; and the necessity for more water stations, accessible restrooms, and availability of facilities and equipment to help those with mobility issues.

“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,” Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna emphasized.

For its part, the Comelec extended their appreciation and gratitude to partners, including the DSWD and its attached agency, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), for assisting the poll body in promoting inclusivity and providing better access to vulnerable groups during the midterm elections. (AKDL)