VOTERS’ EDUCATION TO THE YOUTH
Nature and History of Philippine Elections
Elections are considered one of the hallmarks of democracy. The practice of
election in the Philippines was introduced when Americans supervised the election of
municipal leaders in 1901 and the election of the Philippine Assembly in 1907.
The Right to Suffrage
Suffrage is a right to vote for public officers who had adopt or reject proposed
amendments or legislation in a representative government. Under the 1987
Constitution, Article V, Section 1 provides the right that every Filipino that:
Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not
otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age,
and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year,
and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six
months immediately preceding the election. No literaxy, property, or
other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of
suffrage.
Why Should We Exercise Our Right to Suffrage?
The people’s right to suffrage is the foundation of the electoral process. If people are
not allowed to vote freely, then the whole process of elections becomes absurd and
superfluous.
Qualifications and Disqualifications of a Voter
I. Qualifications of Voters
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution and relevant statutes, the following are the
qualifications for a voter in the Philippines:
1. Citizenship: The individual must be a citizen of the Philippines. Non-
citizens, including resident aliens or foreign nationals, cannot exercise the
right to vote. The voter must prove his or her citizenship if questioned during
the registration process.
2. Age: The individual must be at least 18 years old on the day of the election
or plebiscite.
3. Residence:
o The voter must have resided in the Philippines for at least one
year immediately preceding the election.
o Additionally, the voter must have resided in the place where he/she
intends to vote for at least six months before the election.
4. Registration: The individual must be registered with the Commission on
Elections (COMELEC) to be qualified to vote. Registration is a prerequisite
for the exercise of suffrage, though failure to register does not permanently
disqualify a person from voting in future elections, provided they register at a
later date.
5. No substantive requirements: The Constitution explicitly states that there
shall be no literacy, property, or other substantive requirement imposed
on the exercise of suffrage. This is in line with the democratic principle of
universal suffrage, ensuring that the right to vote is not restricted by wealth,
education, or social status.
III. Disqualifications of Voters
The following are the disqualifications to vote as provided under the law:
1. Non-Citizenship: As only Filipino citizens are allowed to vote, any person
who is not a Filipino citizen is automatically disqualified. Dual citizens,
however, may still vote as long as they satisfy the residency and other
qualifications, and provided that they register under the existing laws for dual
citizens.
2. Age Disqualification: Those below 18 years of age are disqualified from
voting. The age requirement is absolute and is strictly enforced to ensure
maturity in making electoral decisions.
3. Non-Compliance with Residency Requirements:
o A person who has not resided in the Philippines for at least one year or
in the place where they intend to vote for at least six months prior to
the election date is disqualified from voting in that election.
o Voters who change their residence within the Philippines must ensure
that they meet the residency requirement in the new location to vote.
4. Disqualifications Imposed by Law: Certain persons are disqualified from
voting due to the following legal reasons:
o Insanity or incompetence: Persons who are insane or incompetent,
as declared by a court, are disqualified from voting. This
disqualification must be based on a final judicial ruling.
o Conviction of crime involving disloyalty to the state: Persons
convicted by final judgment of crimes such as rebellion, sedition,
violation of the anti-terrorism law, or any crime involving
disloyalty to the state are disqualified. However, once the person has
served their sentence, they may regain the right to vote through a court
order.
o Conviction of crime punishable by more than 18 months of
imprisonment: Persons convicted by final judgment of a crime
involving moral turpitude or imprisonable for more than 18
months are disqualified from voting. Moral turpitude refers to acts that
are inherently immoral, such as fraud, theft, or perjury. After the
sentence has been served and civil rights restored, the person may
vote again.
5. Failure to Register: As voter registration is a prerequisite for voting, any
person who fails to register with the COMELEC will be disqualified from
voting. However, this disqualification is not permanent, and the person may
requalify by registering at a later date.
Special Considerations for Certain Voters
1. Absentee Voting (RA 9189 as amended by RA 10590):
o Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV): Filipino citizens living or working
abroad may vote in national elections (e.g., presidential and senatorial
elections) through absentee voting. They must register as absentee
voters, and they are exempt from the residency requirement in the
Philippines but are subject to the residency requirement in their
place of residence abroad.
o Local Absentee Voting: Government officials, members of the Armed
Forces, the police, and media personnel who are on duty on Election
Day may also participate in local absentee voting, which allows them
to vote in advance of the scheduled election day.
2. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Senior Citizens:
o Special provisions under the Election Law cater to PWDs and senior
citizens, providing accessible voting facilities and options
for assisted voting if needed. Republic Act No. 10366 mandates the
creation of accessible polling places to accommodate PWDs and
senior citizens.
3. Indigenous Peoples (IPs):
o Under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), IPs have the right to
participate in elections and referenda. Cultural
considerations and geographical accessibility are taken into
account to ensure that members of indigenous communities can vote.
Functions of Commission on Elections and Why is it Relevant?
The COMELEC is the principal government agency tasked by the Constitution to
enforce and administer all laws and regulations concerning the conduct of regular
and special elections. It is a body that is designed to be constitutionally independent
from the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government to ensure the
conduct of free, fair and honest elections.
Section2 of Article IX (C) enumerated the powers and functions of COMELEC, as
follows:
1. Enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an
election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall.
2. Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all contests relating to the
elections, returns, and qualifications of all elective regional, provincial, and city
officials, and appellate jurisdiction over all contests involving elective
municipal officials decided by trial courts of general jurisdiction, or involving
elective barangay officials decided by trial courts of limited jurisdiction.
3. Decide, expect those involving the right to vote, all questions affecting
elections, including determination of the number and location of polling
places, appointment of election officials and inspectors, and registration of
voters.
4. Deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies
and instrumentalities of the Government, including the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest,
peaceful, and credible elections.
Why are the Youth significant during Election?
Ramos, (2019) said that the youth have been far more politically proactive
than ever before. More than half of the country’s 69 million registered voters fall
within this youthful demographic, according to the election commission
(Comelec). The youth may have encountered very challenging situations but
remained steadfast in their quest for better governance by participating in the
different electoral activities during the elections and by voting the political leaders
they believe could help their barangay and municipality to attain these goals. In
continuing to do this, young people’s active contributions can bring democratic
values to life, leading to the overturning of authoritarian practices.
REFERENCES
Panguban, K., B. Mateo-Regalario, C., MA, & S. Reyes, L. G., MA. (2023).
PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE (1st ed.). TechFactors Inc.
Ramos, P. G. (2019). The voice of the Filipino youth: Silver linings in the 2019
midterm elections. European Institute for Asian Studies.
Republic of the Philippines Commission on Elections (COMELEC). (n.d.). The
Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0003729/
Respicio, H. (2024d, September 29). Qualifications and Disqualification of Voters —
BaR. RESPICIO & CO.
https://www.respicio.ph/bar/2025/tag/Qualifications+and+Disqualification+of+
Voters
Sarabia, C. O. Attributes, Challenges, and Participation of the Youth in the Protection
of Electoral Integrity.
The importance of youth participation in formal political processes —. (n.d.).
https://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/yt/yt10/yt210/the-importance-of-youth-
participation-in-formal
https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/1.1.1.-CVE-
Basic-Module-Final-Draft-1st-Ed.pdf
