THE RECENTLY concluded special election for the vacant second congressional district in Antipolo City in Rizal had just made a record for the lowest voter turnout in history.
Data coming from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed that only 66,994 of 252,793 registered voters participated in the special congressional polls meant to fill up the vacancy after Romeo Acop died on December 20 last year.
The figure represents 26.50 percent voter turnout. Comelec data further showed that six of 10 voters are women.
“If you ask me, the earlier projection of 60 to 65 percent turnout will not be achieved. Even the 35 percent estimate may not be reached,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said.
Antipolo City second congressional district is composed of eight barangays. San Jose has the most number of registered voters (74,007), followed by Cupang with 42,953.
Other component barangays are San Roque (36,454), Calawis (5,383), , Dalig (33,595), Inarawan (18,410), San Juan (7,057) and San Luis (34,934).
NO ELECTION FAILURE
According to the Comelec chairman, all 36 voting centers functioned and no untoward incident was reported.
Despite low turnout, Comelec chairman George Garcia shrugged off calls urging the poll body to declare a failure of election.
“We did not have a single precinct that did not function during this election day. That is to say, all of our 348 precincts functioned. We did not have a single precinct that failed, therefore all the election paraphernalia, as mentioned, were delivered at 12 o’clock this morning, in fact they were delivered,” he added.
ACOP REPLACING DAD
As this developed, the District Board of Canvassers proclaimed Dr. Bong Acop, son of the late Antipolo 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop, as winner following the manual canvassing of votes from the special polls held on Saturday, March 14.
Acop garnered 60,051 votes, defeating his closest rival, Red Llaga, who received 12,054 votes.
The four other candidates include Paulo Tapales (10,080 votes), Nathaniel Lobigas (754), Dandin Infante (412) and Maria Trinidad Cafirma (199).
Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized Elections law provides that Comelec shall call for and hold a special election to fill the vacancy not earlier than 60 days nor later than 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy.
DISQUALIFICATION CASE
Previously, a lawyer who resides in Antipolo’s second district filed a disqualification case against Acop for alleged massive vote-buying.
According to the complainant, Atty. Mark Tolentino, Acop violated Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code which strictly prohibits doling out money to lure voters to elect a candidate.
Tolentino attached documents, sworn statement, and social media photos which showed cash distribution in Barangay San Roque during the campaign period.
