People who do not know how to read or write should not vote?
@taki_takaishi (1279)
Philippines
May 10, 2010 5:38am CST
It is election today, and congratulations to myLotters who voted today. And as always I was not able to vote this year. But will do in the next elections, anyways, here is another of my topics.
I have been watching television the whole day, I woke up at 9am and started watching the news. And I was talking to my sister, because she suddenly said ... "Why is the people who do not know how to read and write are still able to vote? . I mean I would understand old people and people who has serious injuries who can read and write, but who can't do both."
My sister made me think there for a second. I mean it is true right, not all Filipino person can read nor write, but they are still citizens and have the right to vote. But why vote if you can't read or write. Even if you have someone with you who can do the job for you, is isn't that like your not the one voting?
Well, what matters to me is that the voting system now is a bit okay except for the machines that are malfunctioning... hehehe...
Say your side and let my sister know why people who can't read or write has still have the right to vote with those disability.
Thank you.
2 people like this
9 responses
@kenites (337)
• Philippines
10 May 10
Okay here is what the Philippine Constitution has to say..
According to Article V Section I:
Suffrage may be exercised by all the citizens of the Philippines not otherwise qualified 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 where they purpose to vote for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.
In my own opinion also I think this is fair enough. Disability should not be a hinder to anybody in exercising their right to suffrage.
1 person likes this
That's very well said Kenites.
@jacquiline (124)
• Philippines
11 May 10
i beg your pardon. every one is entitled to vote and it is part of our law. every vote counts. the reason why we have illiterate voters in some case is due to the lacking and support from the government. so we should not blame them of what they have become.instead we should find a way to help them so they would be effective citizens of this country.agree?
1 person likes this
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
10 May 10
I mean it is true right, not all Filipino person can read nor write, but they are still citizens and have the right to vote. - you already mentioned it.
the mere fact that this is our right and we can only exercise this right every 3 years, why we waste this only ONE VOTE we have? i am just afraid that more and more of us can no longer vote in the future if we did not vote the last time and today. and you have to start all over again to get this right back.
1 person likes this
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
10 May 10
well even those who cannot read or write has a right to vote. but i dunno if they can vote write like those who can read and write.
@joanick27 (141)
• Philippines
11 May 10
Those who cannot read or write are not disqualified by law to vote. They too are citizens of the Philippines. Whatever may be the kind of governance we have, that will surely affect them most. Enough assistance from a trusted relative can cure the problem so like anyone else they can cast their votes. I think election is the only time when everyone in the entire country: poor and rich are equal. One vote for the poor and one vote for the rich.
Just imagine the qualifications we have for the President and Vice President. For as long as they can read and write, natural born and 40 years old and meet the residency requirement, they can run for the said posts. If only "read and write" is the requirement pertaining to education, then why should we deny the ordinary citizens of their right to vote simply because they can't read and write? Just want to leave a question to ponder.
1 person likes this
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
10 May 10
They have the right to vote even if they are not able to read or write. I don't remember who said this on the news the other day, but she said that in this elections all Filipinos are equal. Therefore, just because these people are not able to read or write does not mean they are not qualified to make sound judgement on who they think should lead our land.
On the other hand, with todays' experience I have found that those who are in the working class are able to make the elections work. In my area, there were two clustered precints. One precint was for my village and the other was for those in the neighboring subdivisions. The people on the other precint were mad because they thought that the BEIs in our precint were favoring those in our area because they kept asking people to come in and vote in ten minutes or less. The BEIs explained that those in our area voted faster, thats why our line moved faster and we were able to vote faster. There should be a separate precint or area for those who are not able to read or write, the senior citizens and the disabled. Its because they will take more time.
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
10 May 10
That's unfair because it's not their fault if they don't know how to read or write. If their parents or themselves, were not able to provide for their education. But as Filipino, citizens of the Philippines, they have the right to vote. And even if they have someone with them to read and shade for them. It's still them who are voting. Because you have to trust the people that accompanies you that he/she will convey his/her choices. I salute the three blind persons who voted earlier this morning. And the woman without fingers. Because admist of the shame, they might have for going out and vote. They still have voted. And excercise their belief that our nation is fair and they have a say in choosing our next leader. It's the same for those who can write and read but didn't vote. It's still their right not to vote. As for those who can't write and read but did vote. It's also their right too. (^^,)
