The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it is fully prepared for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on 14 September and the special election in Cavite's 4th Legislative District on 29 August.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the campaign period for both elections begins on 30 July, urging candidates to strictly comply with election rules and regulations.

"Sa mga kababayan natin sa Bangsamoro, simula na po bukas ng kampanyahan. Ang pakiusap natin sa mga kandidato, i-observe po natin ang campaign rules and regulations. At sana po ang paggamit ng mga non-biodegradable materials ay iwasan natin," Garcia said.

Garcia said he and other Comelec commissioners will travel to Marawi City to monitor the opening of the campaign period and ensure compliance with election rules.

He warned candidates against using government resources for campaign activities and encouraged the public to report election violations.

"We will disqualify candidates who will violate. So again, do not abuse state resources. We will not hesitate to disqualify candidates and at the same time file appropriate criminal charges against them," Garcia said.

The Comelec chief also said the poll body will hold its final coordination meeting Thursday with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police as part of election security preparations.

Garcia reiterated his appeal for candidates to avoid using non-biodegradable campaign materials as part of the poll body's environmental campaign.

Meanwhile, Comelec has completed the verification of ballots for both elections. Garcia said less than one percent of the ballots were found defective and have already been reprinted.

The commission is now repacking the ballots for distribution to polling precincts, along with the automated counting machines, which are expected to be ready by the first week of August.