Security forces, election officials and power providers have finalized preparations for the first parliamentary elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Monday, 14 September, amid concerns over disinformation, possible vote-buying and election-related security threats.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said all vote-counting machines (VCMs) passed final testing and sealing on Saturday. The machines had been deployed to all 5,212 polling precincts in BARMM.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said minor technical issues were immediately resolved and replacement machines were delivered where needed. About 1,200 VCMs are on standby, while technical personnel will be deployed to 1,186 polling centers in case repairs are required.

Garcia also assured voters that the power sector had committed to maintaining an uninterrupted electricity supply during the polls. He said VCM batteries could last up to three days and that more than 300 spare batteries had been deployed.

The assurance followed concerns from the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) that power reserves in some areas could be insufficient.

Security preparations were also intensified. The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division sent additional troops to Marawi City and Tubod, Lanao del Norte, while other units had earlier been deployed to Maguindanao del Sur and Iligan City.

Police units assisted Comelec personnel in testing and sealing VCMs and inspecting polling precincts. The Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao was placed on full alert, while police and military personnel helped transport election equipment in Basilan.

Stray votes

The Comelec also ordered an investigation into possible election offenses by disqualified Maguindanao del Sur 5th District candidate Anwar Salipada Alamada.

Alamada’s certificate of candidacy was canceled over an alleged false claim that he had met the one-year residency requirement under the BARMM Organic Law.

The poll body directed election boards to treat votes cast for Alamada as stray and ordered the provincial board of canvassers not to proclaim him even if he receives the most votes.

Meanwhile, the Comelec issued a show-cause order against former chairman and Cotabato City 1st District candidate Sheriff Abas over alleged vote-buying.

The order followed a social media post showing P3,000 and a sample ballot bearing his name. Abas was given 24 hours to respond.

Namfrel also warned that fake news involving violence could discourage voters from participating.

The first parliamentary elections will determine the parties and district representatives who will replace the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

The polls are a major step in the transitio n of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front from armed struggle to democratic political participation.