COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday that the holding of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections on Sept. 14 is on track.
“We want to show the solidarity and unity of all government agencies to ensure that the election on September 14 will be orderly and peaceful,” Garcia said in Filipino and English during a meeting of officials from the Comelec, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard.
Garcia said that to date, only one suspected election-related incident had been recorded in the region: the Aug. 15 ambush of the convoy of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. No one was hurt in the incident.
Garcia said that several towns previously classified as high risk or red-category areas have moved to green, yellow or orange. He noted that no additional red-category areas have been recorded.
He dismissed reports that the parliamentary polls would be canceled.
“Those saying that our parliamentary election will not proceed, that is the biggest mistake,” Garcia said, noting election materials have arrived in different BARMM provinces and will soon be distributed to 105 municipalities and two cities.
Garcia said voters would know the winners on election night because the polls are automated, adding proclamations could take place by Sept. 15.
“Vote for whoever your conscience tells you to choose,” he added.
Garcia warned parties that intend to attract voters by intimidation or the use of government social services. “We are not stopping social services because our people need them. But if you know that social services are being used for politics, we will not allow that.”
He said that Comelec has been actively removing illegally posted campaign materials from public places, regardless of size, while respecting private property.
He appealed for help from communities in safeguarding the electoral exercise, stressing it was what the Bangsamoro had been waiting for after decades of conflict.
A successful BARMM polls, he said, could lead to more development programs, particularly in the area of employment and livelihood.
Garcia said the international community will be watching.
“It is not acceptable if voter turnout is too low when we are talking about the future,” he said.
