The decision of the Commission on Elections to partner with the country’s major malls such as SM to put up satellite registration booths for voters, especially those who are in danger of getting disenfranchised due to lack of biometric data, is laudable. According to Comelec chief Andy Bautista – who was practically pleading for people to spread the word about the poll body’s “No Boto, No Bio” campaign – some 4.3 million voters face disenfranchisement in next year’s polls – and we all know that number would make a huge difference considering the looming four-way race to the presidency.

Setting up satellite registration centers in malls would make it very convenient and comfortable for the public, especially  for senior citizens who don’t have to put up with the cramped and humid barangay registration centers. Many may not know it, but in 2011 SM was the first mall to set up registration centers for persons with disabilities (PWDs). In 2013, Comelec opened up special polling precincts for senior citizens and PWDs in four SM pilot areas in compliance with Republic Act 10366 (An Act Authorizing the Comelec to Establish Precincts Exclusively for PWDs and Senior Citizens).

The accessibility of these special polling places in air conditioned malls certainly made a lot of difference as far as upholding the right to vote went, because one of the reasons why a lot of elderly people (and other voters with special health conditions) usually forego casting their votes is the discomfort they have to go through, standing up for a long time in hot weather waiting for their turn to vote.

It’s not only the Comelec that has partnered with the country’s biggest mall operator for delivering basic services because now people can get their driver’s license, passports, and birth certificates processed in mall satellite offices. We’re told Hans Sy and Tessie Sy-Coson have taken a direct interest in making their malls more convenient and efficient one-stop centers, and easier for the general public to process certain government requirements.