The Commission on Elections has set deadlines for the first legislative elections in Mindanao’s  autonomous region. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is calling for the vote not to be postponed any further. The removal of Sulu from the autonomous region’s territory is not going without glitches, and the risk of fraud related to registration is raising questions.

Cotabato City (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has published the calendar of activities for the first legislative elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which were postponed to 13 October.

While doubts linger about whether voting will take place, COMELEC has released a very detailed list of does and don’ts.

A ban on carrying weapons will kick in on 14 August to 28 October, while the campaign period will run from 28 August to 11 October.

A complete ban on the release of public funds in the region will be in place, except for medical or funeral assistance, from 3 to 13 October.

On 12 October, eve of the elections, a ban on the sale of alcohol and a election blackout will be imposed.

COMELEC also decided that vote counting machines will have to be specially tested from 8 to 12 October. The last day to file the declaration of contributions and expenses will be 12 November.

The BARMM covers the provinces of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Lanao del Sur, as well as the cities of Marawi, Lamitan, and Cotabato.

Sulu was initially included in the BARMM, but the Supreme Court unanimously excluded it in September 2024. The ruling raised concerns about the distribution of votes and seats.

The autonomous region was created by the Republic Act 11054, also known as the Organic Law for the BARMM.

Under the piece of legislation, the local assembly will consist of 80 seats, divided in different ways: 40 are for party representatives, 32 seats for individual districts (each district elects its own representative), and eight are sectoral seats (dedicated to representing specific groups, such as indigenous peoples).

Sulu province had been allocated seven of the 32 district seats, so the Supreme Court’s decision created a “hole” in the distribution of seats. A public hearing was held today in Cotabato City to try to modify the seat distribution.

Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have long been pushing for the 13 October elections to go ahead as scheduled.

In a statement on 5 June, Mohagher Iqbal, vice chairman of the Bangsamoro United Justice Party (UBJP), the MILF’s political wing, called on the central government, on both houses of Congress, the Commission on Elections, and all stakeholders “to respect and follow the schedule and timeline set by law for the upcoming first parliamentary election on October 13, 2025.”

“We strongly appeal to our national leaders to refrain from entertaining any proposal that will again postpone this historic election to choose the regular Members of the Bangsamoro Parliament,” he added.

Iqbal said that information is reaching the MILF that there is a new attempt to postpone the 13 October election, although no one has publicly called for this.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. replaced the Bangsamoro region chief minister, who heads the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), in early March. Since the authority was created in 2019, the legislative elections have been postponed twice.

In a separate decision, COMELEC also decided to remove the barangay certificate from the valid identification papers required for voter registration. A barangay is the smallest administrative unit in the Philippines, corresponding to a neighbourhood or village.

COMELEC Chairman George Garcia explained that the document was being misused to move voters from one precinct to another, often without voters actually moving.

This allows votes to be concentrated in certain areas and favour specific candidates, creating “phoney” votes in certain jurisdictions.

Garcia also said that some barangay officials are being investigated and could face charges for their involvement in such illegal practices.

Voter registration, which is possible with other identification documents, is set to take place from 1 to 11 July.

COMELEC also said it is aware that its decision could be challenged and said it is ready to address any appeals that reach the Supreme Court, pledging to abide by any rulings.

• philippines
• bangsamoro autonomous region in muslim mindanao
• barmm
• commission on elections
• comelec