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.

The District has 252,793 registered voters, including 234 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) voters, from eight barangays.

There are six candidates – namely Bong Acop, Dandin Infante, Reden Llaga, Maria Trinidad Cafirma, Nathaniel Lobigas, and Irvin Paulo Tapales, vying for the post.

“Let’s go Antipolo City, and let’s vote on Saturday,” he added.

The special polls will be held in the 348 clustered precincts located in 36 voting centers across Antipolo City and in the Antipolo City Jail for PDL voters.

Manual system of voting will be used for the special elections, where voters will write the names of their preferred candidates on the official ballots.

Voting is set to begin at 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. exclusively for the elderly, pregnant voters, and persons with disability, while regular voting hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Comelec said the District Board of Canvassers shall convene at 6 p.m. at the Ynares Event Center to receive and canvass the election returns and proclaim the winning candidate.

Garcia said they expect the proclamation of the winning candidate on March 15, as they expect bets and their lawyers to dispute the election returns.

“Our prediction is that the proclamation of the winning candidate will happen a day later,” he added.

The special polls will elect the replacement of Rep. Romeo Acop, who died in December last year. (PNA)