MANILA – A poll watchdog pushed for the holding of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on Oct. 13, despite issues that recently arose.

In a statement, the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) said it supports the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for pushing the conduct of the BPE as scheduled.

“The IEMC strongly supports the Comelec’s position to hold the BARMM Parliamentary Elections as scheduled, even if the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) enacts a redistricting and reapportionment law in the coming days,” it said.

The group noted that delaying the BPE does not support the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace agreement.

“Further postponement of the elections would unjustly delay the establishment of an elected regional government – a key component of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” the IEMC said.

“The people of BARMM deserve leaders with a clear mandate from the electorate.”

Last week, the Comelec announced the temporary deferment of the start of the printing of BPE ballots.

The suspension was made after it received information that the bill redistricting the BARMM may have an effect on the ballot faces and printing of ballots, among others.

However, the Comelec assured that the BPE will be held on Oct. 13, despite the potential complications.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is an autonomous region in the southern Philippines, established in 2019 to replace the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It was created as part of a peace agreement to end decades of conflict and grant self-governance to the region’s Muslim-majority population. The area has a rich Islamic history dating back to the 15th century, when it was home to sultanates prior to Spanish colonization.

Commission on Elections

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is the independent constitutional commission responsible for enforcing and administering all election laws and regulations in the Philippines. It was formally established in 1940 to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections. Its history is deeply tied to the country’s democratic development, having overseen pivotal national and local elections since the post-war era.

Independent Election Monitoring Center

The Independent Election Monitoring Center is a non-governmental organization established to promote transparent and fair electoral processes, typically through citizen observation and reporting. Such centers emerged globally in the late 20th century, often in response to a history of disputed or non-transparent elections, to enhance public trust in democratic institutions. Their work commonly includes training observers, deploying monitoring missions, and publishing impartial reports on electoral conduct.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is the interim regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the Philippines. It was established in 2019 following a peace agreement to implement the region’s new autonomous governance and transition to a fully elected government by 2025. Its creation is a major milestone in the decades-long peace process between the Philippine government and Moro separatist groups.

Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) is a 2014 peace accord signed between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end decades of armed conflict in Mindanao. It established the framework for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, granting the area greater political autonomy and economic self-governance. This landmark agreement is the culmination of a long and complex peace process aimed at addressing historical grievances and establishing a lasting peace in the southern Philippines.

Bangsamoro Organic Law

The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is the Philippine legislation that established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), replacing the former Autonomous Region. It is the result of a decades-long peace process aimed at ending conflict and granting self-governance to the region’s Muslim-majority population. The law, which was ratified in 2019, provides the legal framework for the region to have its own parliamentary government and greater control over its resources.