The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Tuesday firmly ruled out any extension for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for district representative aspirants in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia emphasized that all hopefuls must submit their candidacies within the strictly designated window from May 5 to 7.
“No extension. We have a very tight schedule already,” Garcia told reporters in a message, underscoring that any adjustment would disrupt preparations for the BARMM Parliamentary Elections (BPE).
The poll body chief elaborated that even negligible delays could create a domino effect, derailing critical election-related operations scheduled in the lead-up to the September 14 polls.
“The earlier [to file COC] the better. Avoid the rush,” Garcia said.
The Bangsamoro Electoral Office reported a starting turnout on Tuesday, logging 22 candidates who successfully filed their COCs on the first day of the period.
Voters participating in the historic BPE are set to choose 32 district representatives to sit in the BARMM Parliament.