Voting got underway on Saturday in a special election for the congressional seat representing the 4th Legislative District of Cavite, which covers Dasmariñas City, amid heavy rains in the area.

The special election is being held to choose a replacement for former lawmaker Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, who was expelled by the House of Representatives on June 2 for what lawmakers described as “disruptive” and “disorderly” behavior.

Polling stations opened at 5 a.m. for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant voters. Regular voting for all registered voters began at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 3 p.m., with senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant voters given priority.

Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia said voting hours could be extended if bad weather continues.

Five candidates are running for the seat, including:

• Incumbent Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Austria Barzaga

• Former vice mayor Raul Rex Del Rosario

• Former councilor Jacinto Bautista Frani Jr.

• Marvin Opamin Dupal-ag

• Leysander Aguilar

Aug. 29 was declared a special non-working day in Dasmariñas City to allow registered voters to participate in the election.

Persons deprived of liberty also began voting Saturday at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Dasmariñas City.

Garcia personally visited polling precincts in the city to check on the conduct of the special election amid the inclement weather. Among the locations he visited were Dasmariñas Elementary School, Francisco E. Barzaga Memorial School and the BJMP Dasmariñas City facility.

The special election will determine who will serve the remainder of the term for the congressional seat vacated by Barzaga.