CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (August 5) — With nearly 2.4 million voters preparing to cast their ballots, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) says the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are 95 percent ready to go — even as authorities continue watching security conditions across the region.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said Tuesday that preparations for the Sept. 14 BARMM parliamentary elections remain on track and that the overall peace and order situation is “manageable.”
None of the 105 municipalities and two cities in the Bangsamoro has petitioned to be placed under Comelec control, Garcia said.
Some areas previously classified as high-risk, or “red,” have also been downgraded to orange or green as election day draws closer.
“So far, the situation is manageable — our preparations for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are very peaceful,” Garcia said.
But the assessment comes as the region continues to deal with isolated violent incidents.
Garcia said recent incidents were not election-related. A grenade attack in Maguindanao del Sur was identified by the Philippine National Police and the military as retaliation linked to a neutralized rebel leader, while the killing of a councilor in the Special Geographic Area was attributed to a private dispute and did not involve a candidate.
For voters, however, the distinction does not erase the need for vigilance as political campaigning and election preparations intensify.
More polling places, fewer voters per precinct
Comelec will operate 5,212 polling precincts for nearly 2.4 million registered voters across the Bangsamoro.
Garcia said the number of voters assigned to each precinct was reduced to 600 after Comelec secured sufficient funding, with assistance from the Bangsamoro Parliament.
The move is intended to make voting more manageable and reduce congestion on election day.
The poll body says the most critical logistical preparations are already underway.
All ballots have been printed and packed, while deployment of election materials has begun.
Technicians have also arrived in Cotabato City for training before being assigned to schools that will serve as polling centers.
Teachers who will serve on electoral boards are scheduled for two weeks of training beginning next week.
3,000 police prepared as teacher substitutes
Comelec is also preparing for the possibility that some teachers may be unable to report for election duty.
Garcia said about 3,000 Philippine National Police personnel are undergoing training to serve as substitute election workers if needed.
The police personnel will undergo the same technical preparation and certification process required of election personnel, he said.
The goal is to ensure that the absence of teachers will not disrupt voting operations.
No room for election misinformation
With preparations nearing completion, Garcia also urged Bangsamoro voters to ignore social media posts claiming that the Sept. 14 elections will be postponed or cancelled.
He said the Comelec remains committed to holding the polls as scheduled.
The remaining logistical work is expected to be completed by the end of August, with all election materials targeted to be in place by the first week of September.
For Bangsamoro voters, the next few weeks will be crucial: the machinery is being put in place, security is being monitored and nearly 2.4 million voters are preparing to take part in a parliamentary election that will help shape the region’s next political leadership.
For Comelec, being “95 percent ready” means the remaining five percent now carries a particularly important task — making sure the election reaches every voter safely, credibly and without disruption.
