Quezon City: Over 31,715 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) will participate in the May 12 national and local elections, as announced by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Friday. This announcement highlights the voting process for those who are currently in detention across the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, BJMP spokesman Supt. Jayrex Joseph Bustinera detailed that 31,251 PDLs are set to cast their votes in special polling centers established within BJMP-run jails. Additionally, 464 PDLs will be escorted by jail officers to cast their votes in the barangays where they are registered.

During a press briefing at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) main office in Quezon City, Bustinera explained that the BJMP manages 484 jail facilities nationwide. Of these, 393 will serve as special polling precincts to facilitate the voting process for eligible PDLs.

Furthermore, Bustinera highlighted that seven PDLs are candidates in the elections, with positions including senator, mayor, representative, vice mayor, and municipal councilor. He also clarified that registered PDL voters whose cases are pending in court are legally permitted to vote, as are those serving sentences of less than a year.

This initiative ensures that PDLs, who are either awaiting trial or serving short-term sentences, can exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections.