Early voting set for seniors, PWDs in Antipolo special polls
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will once again implement its early voting hours program for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) for the special elections in the second district of Antipolo City on March 14, 2026.
According to Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the early voting period of 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. will be exclusive for these vulnerable sectors.
“On March 14, we will once again implement the successful program of early voting hours. Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women can exclusively vote from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.,” Garcia told reporters in an interview on Friday.
READ: Comelec urges Congress to pass law on early voting hours
Garcia earlier said that over four million senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women benefited from the program in the May 2025 midterm elections.
Garcia also said Comelec will also enforce the early voting hours program in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Nov. 2, 2026.
“We will no longer have distinction whether it’s manual or automated election, we will have an early voting hours program,” Garcia noted.
PDLs allowed to vote, too
READ: Comelec sets special poll in 2nd district of Antipolo City
Garcia added that persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the second district of Antipolo City are also allowed to vote in the special elections.
He said that the poll body has coordinated with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology regarding arrangements to let the PDLs vote on election day.
“For our humanitarian act and to show that no one should be left behind in exercising the right to vote, they will also be allowed to vote as long as they are qualified and registered voters in the second district of Antipolo,” Garcia said.
The Comelec will hold special elections in the district following the death of Rep. Romeo Acop in December 2025.
Garcia earlier said that the Constitution requires the poll body to conduct a special election in the event of a vacancy in Congress, noting that the polls must be done 60 days after the post was vacated, and not later than 90 days. /das
