Comelec: Cheating, poll fraud in Antipolo special elections ‘impossible’

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday assured residents of the second district of Antipolo City that the special elections will not be tainted by any form of cheating or election fraud. 

This is what Chairperson George Erwin Garcia answered when asked how the Comelec was ensuring the integrity of the special elections, given the manual nature of its operations. 

“The whole commission is focusing on this right now. I think all the [Philippines National Police] and [Armed Forces of the Philippines] are here, as well as the watchers of political parties and their candidates who have been here, so it is impossible,” Garcia, speaking in Filipino, told reporters in an interview. 

READ: Voting precincts for Antipolo special polls now open

Garcia also said that elections in Rizal have always been proper, noting that it has never been categorized as a critical area that needs extra monitoring. 

“There are no untoward incidents, even in past elections. This area has never been classified as a critical area or under the red or orange category. Rizal has always been executing peaceful elections,” Garcia added. 

The Comelec earlier said that areas classified under the red category face serious threats and a history of election-related violence while the orange category signifies areas or regions experiencing serious threats. 

READ: LOOK: PDLs cast votes for Antipolo special polls

The special elections are held following the death of Rep. Romeo Acop in December 2025. The six candidates vying for the position are: Acop, Bong; Cafirma, Baby; Infante, Dan; Llaga, Red; Lobigas, Atty. Nat; and Tapales, Atty. Paui.

The Comelec said that there are a total number of 252,793 registered voters from eight barangays in the second district. As the voting precincts close at 3 p.m., the poll body said that the District Board of Canvassers will convene at 6 p.m. on the same day to receive and canvass the election returns and proceed with the proclamation of winners. /jpv