MANILA, Philippines — A gun ban took effect in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Thursday as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced the start of the 90-day election period for the region’s first parliamentary election.
More than 2.3 million registered voters will elect 80 members of the Bangsamoro Parliament on Sept. 14, marking the first regular parliamentary election under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“Checkpoints will be set up in all 105 municipalities and three cities to implement the gun ban,” Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Thursday.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11214, the election period runs from July 16 to Sept. 29, while the campaign period will be from July 30 to Sept. 12.
The poll body also imposed restrictions on the use of unauthorized security personnel. The transfer of government employees and the preventive suspension of local officials during the election period will also require Comelec approval.
