Antipolo: All is set for the holding of the special elections for the 2nd District of Antipolo City on Saturday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced Friday. "We are all systems go for the special election in Antipolo City," Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said in a telephone interview.

According to Philippines News Agency, the District has 252,793 registered voters, which includes 234 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) voters from eight barangays. Six candidates are in the fray for the post, namely Bong Acop, Dandin Infante, Reden Llaga, Maria Trinidad Cafirma, Nathaniel Lobigas, and Irvin Paulo Tapales. "Let's go Antipolo City, and let's vote on Saturday," Garcia added.

The special elections will be conducted in 348 clustered precincts situated across 36 voting centers within Antipolo City, with provisions made for PDL voters at Antipolo City Jail. The elections will utilize a manual voting system where voters write the names of their preferred candidates on official ballots.

Voting is scheduled to start at 5 a.m. for the elderly, pregnant voters, and persons with disability, while regular voting will occur from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The District Board of Canvassers is set to convene at 6 p.m. at the Ynares Event Center to receive, canvass the election returns, and proclaim the winning candidate.

Garcia mentioned that they anticipate proclaiming the winning candidate on March 15, as they foresee potential disputes from candidates and their lawyers regarding the election returns. "Our prediction is that the proclamation of the winning candidate will happen a day later," he added.

The special polls aim to elect a replacement for Rep. Romeo Acop, who passed away in December last year.