COTABATO CITY(June 25) — With less than three months before the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) says it is no longer worried about voting machines, ballot printing, or election technology.
Its biggest concern remains far more difficult to control: vote-buying.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Tuesday said preparations for the Sept. 14, 2026 BARMM parliamentary elections are largely on track, with election technology and logistics already in place. What threatens the credibility of the polls, he said, are the persistent electoral practices that have long undermined democratic participation in parts of the region.
“The objective is not merely to maintain peace and order but also to protect election equipment, election personnel and the conduct of the elections themselves,” Garcia said following a security command conference with military and police officials in Zamboanga City.
Yet despite advances in election automation, Garcia acknowledged that credible elections ultimately depend not on machines but on voters being able to make choices free from coercion, intimidation, or financial inducement.
A Persistent Democratic Deficit
For decades, elections in parts of Mindanao have been haunted by allegations of vote-buying, command voting, political intimidation, and the influence of entrenched political clans.
The BARMM parliamentary elections were envisioned as a milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process—a chance to strengthen democratic institutions and give voters a greater voice in shaping the region’s future.
But election observers have long argued that the promise of democratic self-governance cannot be fully realized if electoral outcomes continue to be influenced by money and patronage rather than genuine political choice.
Garcia’s remarks underscore a reality often overlooked during election season: technological improvements can secure ballots, but they cannot guarantee voter independence.
Even the most sophisticated election system, he said, loses credibility if voters are unable to freely exercise their right to choose.
The challenge is particularly significant in a region where poverty, political dependency, and longstanding local power structures can make voters vulnerable to inducements and pressure.
Security Beyond Violence
Historically, election preparations in BARMM have focused heavily on preventing election-related violence.
This year, security planning appears broader.
Comelec is coordinating with the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine Coast Guard to secure not only polling centers but also election personnel, equipment, and operations.
Garcia declined to reveal the number of security reinforcements to be deployed, citing operational concerns, but stressed that adequate personnel would be available throughout the electoral period.
He also issued a warning to individuals or groups who may attempt to intimidate Electoral Board members, saying contingency measures are already in place.
Should teachers or election workers be threatened or prevented from performing their duties, trained personnel from the police force are prepared to assume election functions to ensure that voting proceeds as scheduled.
The statement reflects Comelec’s determination to prevent disruptions that have historically affected elections in conflict-prone areas.
A Crucial Test for the Bangsamoro Experiment
Beyond choosing regional leaders, the September elections carry national significance.
They will be the first parliamentary elections conducted under the Bangsamoro political system and are widely seen as a critical test of the region’s democratic transition following years of conflict and peace negotiations.
Garcia described the polls as a learning opportunity that could help shape reforms ahead of the 2028 national and local elections.
Among the adjustments already introduced are changes in ballot design and voting procedures. The ballot shading threshold has been increased from 15 percent to 25 percent, while oil-based markers will replace water-based pens to improve ballot readability and reduce voter confusion.
The reforms respond to issues encountered during the 2025 elections and are intended to strengthen public confidence in the automated election system.
The Real Measure of Success
Comelec’s confidence in the technology is notable. Ballots for approximately 2.3 million registered voters are scheduled for printing in early July, and officials say funding remains sufficient, aided by support from the BARMM government.
Election workers will also receive additional honoraria in recognition of their role in delivering the polls.
But as preparations enter their final phase, Garcia’s message is clear: the success of the BARMM elections will not be measured solely by whether machines function properly or results are transmitted quickly.
The deeper test is whether voters can cast their ballots free from fear, pressure, and financial influence.
For BARMM, where democratic governance remains closely tied to the success of the peace process, that challenge may prove far more important than any technological upgrade.
The credibility of the region’s first parliamentary elections may ultimately depend not on what happens inside the voting machines, but on what happens before voters reach them.
