MANILA, Philippines — As the campaign period for the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao commences on Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured Filipinos that his administration is ready.
The statement comes after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had successfully printed approximately 2.3 million ballots for the September 14 elections.
It can be recalled that the said elections were rescheduled after Marcos signed the Republic Act No. 12317, which sought to provide additional time for the implementation of the new parliamentary district configuration, following Sulu’s exclusion from the region.
Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo said the completion of the printing shows that despite the time adjustments, the government is ready, reflecting the poll body’s adherence to the timetable.
The upcoming September BARMM elections are set to be a milestone in the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, establishing the region's first fully elected parliament under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
As campaigning begins and preparations enter the final stretch, authorities said they are confident the vote will be peaceful, transparent, and credible.
The election is set to give voters their first direct say in electing the regional parliament to replace the appointed transition authority in place since 2019. Campaigning centers on governance, economy, security, infrastructure, education, and the Bangsamoro Organic Law as parties compete to guide the region's next phase.
Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said official ballots will undergo strict verification to ensure compatibility with automated election systems and avoid race-day glitches.
Security measures have also been stepped up to prevent violence throughout the election period.
