Comelec eyes extending Cavite special election hours amid habagat rains

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking at the possibility of extending the voting hours of the ongoing special elections for the 4th Legislative District of Cavite amid the downpour from the Habagat rains.

“If the rain doesn't stop, voting hours could be extended—even just for a short while—to accommodate our fellow citizens who are hesitant to leave their homes due to the heavy rain,” said Comelec Chair George Garcia on Saturday.

Garcia said this is just one possibility and an extension may no longer be needed "if the rain stops."

Garcia said they are hoping to have a 50% voter turnout for the election that seeks to replace expelled House lawmaker Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga.

“Nung nakaraan sabi natin sana maka 60 to 65%, ngayon, kontento na tayo kung kahit maka 50% man lang ang makaboto,” he said.

(In the past we hoped for 60 to 65%, now, we are content if we just hit at least 50% of voters.)

There are 447,387 registered voters in the 4th Legislative District of Cavite, according to Comelec.

A total of five candidates are running in the special polls, namely Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Barzaga, Raul Rex Del Rosario Mangubat, Marvin Opamin Dupal-ag, Leysander Aguilar Ordenes, and Jacinto Bautista Frani, Jr.

Garcia personally monitored Cavite's special election, which started at 4 a.m. for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women.

Garcia said that at least 5,772 voters have cast their ballots across more than 1,100 precincts in the city.

The poll body is looking to proclaim the winner of the special polls early dawn of Sunday.

“Hopefully, bago mag alas-singko ng madaling araw bukas, maproklema natin ang winning candidate,” Garcia said.

(Hopefully, before 5:00 early tomorrow morning, the winning candidate will be proclaimed.) —VAL, GMA News