The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended voting hours for the special election in the 4th Legislative District of Cavite until 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 29.
The extension came amid heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or ‘habagat,’ that affected the province.
In an advisory, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the Comelec En Banc unanimously approved the two-hour extension.
“The Commission En Banc via a unanimous vote had decided to extend the voting hours of the Dasmariñas City, Cavite special election up to 5 p.m.,” Garcia said.
Earlier, Garcia said the poll body was considering extending voting hours to accommodate voters who were hesitant to leave their homes due to the bad weather.
Garcia said the Comelec is hoping to achieve a 50% voter turnout in the special election. The 4th Legislative District of Cavite has 447,387 registered voters.
Five candidates are running in the special election: Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Barzaga, Raul Rex Del Rosario Mangubat, Marvin Opamin Dupal-ag, Leysander Aguilar Ordenes, and Jacinto Bautista Frani Jr.
The special election is being held to elect a new representative for the district following the expulsion of former Rep. Francisco Barzaga Jr. over what lawmakers described as “disruptive” and “disorderly” behavior.
The Comelec is eyeing to proclaim the winning candidate in the early hours of Sunday, August 30.
