DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite, Philippines — Heavy rains could force the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to extend voting hours in Saturday’s special election in Dasmariñas City, as authorities monitor whether worsening weather will prevent voters from reaching their polling precincts.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body had not made a final decision on extending the voting period, stressing that the situation would depend on conditions as the scheduled 3 p.m. closing time approached.
The special election is being held to fill the congressional seat left vacant following the expulsion of former Cavite 4th District representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga Jr.
Regular voting began at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 3 p.m., while senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women were given early voting hours beginning at 5 a.m. Comelec had earlier urged voters to cast their ballots early as bad weather threatened to disrupt access to voting centers.
Weather Could Become the Deciding Factor
Garcia said Comelec’s decision would ultimately hinge on a crucial question: Can voters safely leave their homes and reach their polling places?
The entire province of Cavite was under an orange rainfall warning as of Saturday morning, with heavy rain expected to continue in parts of the province. The weather threat has turned an already closely watched special election into a race against time for thousands of voters.
Before election day, Comelec said the polls would push through despite the forecast after coordinating with weather and disaster-response authorities. However, officials also acknowledged that election laws provide options when extraordinary circumstances make voting difficult or impossible.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, Comelec may postpone an election in situations involving force majeure and other serious circumstances, subject to the conditions provided by law.
More Than 447,000 Registered Voters Await Their Choice
The Dasmariñas special election covers 447,387 registered voters across 75 barangays, with Comelec previously expressing hope for a turnout of around 65 percent. The poll body has also said it hopes to proclaim the winner by early Sunday, August 30.
Five candidates are vying for the vacant congressional seat:
- 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
The special election comes after Barzaga was expelled from the House of Representatives in June over conduct-related violations cited by the chamber.
The Big Question: What Happens If the Rain Doesn’t Stop?
As the afternoon approaches, all eyes are on the weather—and on Comelec’s next move.
For now, the message from election officials is clear: the polls remain underway, but the situation could change if severe weather significantly prevents voters from exercising their right to vote.
Whether voting will end exactly at 3 p.m. or continue beyond the scheduled closing time could depend on what happens in the next few hours.
With rain pouring and thousands of votes still potentially at stake, Dasmariñas is facing an election day where the weather may prove to be just as important as the ballots.
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