The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Friday said 31,715 of the 115,791 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) will cast their votes in the May 12 national and local elections.
In a press briefing at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) main office in Quezon City, BJMP spokesman Supt. Jayrex Joseph Bustinera said 31,251 PDLs will cast their votes in the special polling centers inside BJMP-run jails.
He said the remaining 464 PDLs will be escorted by jail officers while voting in the barangays where they are registered.
“Kami ay nagmamando or nagmamanage ng 484 jail facilities nationwide. Dito sa mga facilities na ito, 393 na facilities ay magiging special polling precinct (We manage 484 jail facilities nationwide. Of these facilities, 393 will be special polling precincts),” Bustinera said.
He said seven PDLs were running for the senator, mayor, representative, two for vice mayor, and two for municipal councilor.
Bustinera earlier said the registered PDL voters whose cases are still pending and have not been resolved by the courts are allowed under the law to vote in the coming elections.
He said PDLs allowed to vote include those “who are formally charged and awaiting trial, as well as individuals serving prison sentences of less than a year.’’ (PNA)