Stakeholders see peaceful, orderly BARMM polls with high voter’s turnout

COTABATO CITY -- Bangsamoro stakeholders expressed confidence that Monday’s first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will be peaceful, orderly and marked by strong voter turnout.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), security agencies, local government units and other stakeholders finalized preparations ahead of the 14 September polls.

More than 2.3 million registered voters are eligible to elect the region’s first regular Parliament, marking a major milestone in the transition from the appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to an elected parliamentary government.

Comelec targeting a voter turnout of at least 80 percent, citing high public interest observed during voter-information and preparatory activities across the region.

Maguindanao del Norte Representative Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu called on residents to exercise their democratic rights.

"Every vote is a right and a responsibility," Mangudadatu said. "I encourage everyone to vote wisely and peacefully, choosing leaders based on competence, integrity, and genuine commitment to public service. The future of the Bangsamoro is in the hands of its people."

Bangsamoro Parliament Member Naguib Sinarimbo also urged political parties to uphold peace during the election.

"To all parties, let us make this election peaceful, democratic, and truly reflective of the will of our people," Sinarimbo said. "Firearms and violence should have no space in a democratic society."

Government agencies implemented extensive security measures to safeguard the process. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) coordinated operations with Comelec, the BARMM regional government and local government units.

The PNP intensified security operations in 108 areas identified by Comelec as areas of concern.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously directed security agencies to ensure the elections remain peaceful, with 8,299 PNP personnel deployed for security duties alongside additional forces.

Comelec officials reported that election materials and automated counting machines were distributed and subjected to final testing and sealing. In Lanao del Sur, provincial election officials declared the province 99 percent ready after distributing and testing all 1,764 automated counting machines.

"The final testing and sealing of our VCMs was very successful, and all machines have arrived at the precincts," Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said. "To our fellow citizens in Bangsamoro, we have waited four decades for this. Let us participate in the election because your voice matters."

Voters will elect 80 members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, consisting of 40 party representatives, 32 district representatives and eight sectoral representatives.

The elections are also being monitored by international observers, with 108 observers from 16 organizations tracking the process across Cotabato City, Marawi City, Lamitan City, Isabela City, the five BARMM provinces and the Special Geographic Area.