The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) has called for an orderly and peaceful electoral process as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) prepares to hold its inaugural parliamentary elections on September 14.
Presidential Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento commended the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and security forces for their efforts to secure a safe and credible voting environment.
He also praised political parties and their leadership for demonstrating maturity as the historic polls approach.
“We likewise acknowledge the maturity and sense of responsibility being demonstrated by the political parties and their leaders as we approach this historic exercise,” Sarmiento said.
Emphasizing the importance of allowing Bangsamoro voters to freely choose their leaders, Sarmiento urged all stakeholders to maintain their cooperation heading into election day.
“We hope that everyone will sustain these efforts in the days leading up to the elections. With the active cooperation of our communities, political leaders, election officials, and security forces, we can help ensure that the people of the Bangsamoro are able to freely choose their leaders in a credible, honest, transparent, and peaceful election,” he added.
Sarmiento highlighted the upcoming polls as a significant political milestone achieved under the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
“The success of these elections will not only be a milestone for the Bangsamoro peace process. It will be a victory for peace, democracy, and the Filipino people,” he noted.
Ahead of the September 14 vote, two representatives for Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs)—Jo Genna Jover representing the Teduray and Leticio Datuwata representing the Lambangian—were selected for parliamentary seats. They will be officially proclaimed alongside the 78 winning candidates following the election.
Following a final command conference in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia expressed hope for a voter turnout between 65% and 70% among the region’s roughly 2.393 million registered voters.
“Ang sinasabi ko nga kahit 65-70% sana ma-achieve natin. Huwag naman baba sa 50% [dahil] parang wala namang ka effort effort ang COMELEC at lahat ng stakeholders, kasama ang mga Bangsamoro government,” Garcia stated.