MANILA (May 6) — Aspirants for district seats in the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections have only a three-day window to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs), as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruled out any extension.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said filings for district representatives in the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections must be completed within May 5 to 7, stressing that the poll body is operating on a tight timeline ahead of the September polls.
“No extension. We have a very tight schedule already,” Garcia said, warning that even minor delays could disrupt preparations for key electoral activities leading up to the Sept. 14 vote.
He urged candidates to avoid last-minute filing, saying earlier submission would help prevent congestion and administrative delays. “The earlier [to file COC] the better. Avoid the rush,” he added.
On the first day of filing, the Bangsamoro Electoral Office recorded 22 aspirants who submitted their COCs for district representative posts. A total of 32 seats in the BARMM Parliament will be contested in the upcoming elections.
The Comelec decision signals a strict enforcement of election timelines as the region prepares for its first parliamentary elections under the Bangsamoro Organic Law framework.
