In a significant development for electoral participation, 927 individuals currently detained in Negros Oriental have been confirmed eligible to cast their votes in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections. Lionel Marco Castillano, the regional election director for the Negros Island Region, announced this milestone, highlighting a shift in policy that now allows these persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to vote for both national and local candidates, as long as they are registered in their detention areas.
To facilitate this process, special election boards will be dispatched to the various jail facilities on election day. These boards will supervise the voting, ensuring that PDLs use the same official ballots as other voters. However, unlike regular polling stations, no automated counting machines will be installed within the jails. Instead, after voting, the ballots will be securely sealed and transported to designated precincts for official counting.
Castillano also mentioned that PDLs who were registered voters prior to their incarceration would need a court order to vote outside the jail under escort. The distribution of these eligible voters across different facilities in Negros Oriental includes Bais City with 107 voters, Vallehermoso with 66, Manjuyod with 28, Dumaguete City Male Dorm with 72, Canlaon City with 51, Bayawan City with 179, Guihulngan City with 138, Mabinay with 77, and Tanjay City with 209.
Chief Insp. Julia Sale, the head of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Negros Oriental, indicated that the number of eligible PDL voters might fluctuate due to new detentions or releases in the lead-up to the elections.