Comelec not keen on placing BARMM under its control

DESPITE the history of violent electoral exercises in the area, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said it is not looking at placing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under Comelec control during the first BARMM elections next year.

In an interview at the sidelines of the BARMM Multiparty Democracy Summit held in Manila, Comelec chairman George Garcia said they are not keen on immediately placing the region under its direct supervision.

“We will act accordingly based on the developments. When there is disorder, it is not always necessary to declare Comelec control. We will need to see the level of disorder first, the level of irregularities in an area before placing it under Comelec control,” Garcia said.

The poll chief said they are careful when it comes to placing an area under its direct control because “there is an automatic stigma on the communities when it gets placed under Comelec control.”

Garcia, however, assured the public that the Commission will not hesitate in imposing Comelec control if deemed necessary.

“Do not test the patience of the Commission on Elections. We will never hesitate to use the full powers of the Comelec under the Constitution just to ensure that no lives are sacrificed and that everyone will be able to vote,” said Garcia.

He, then, called on all Bangsamoro stakeholders to help the Comelec in ensuring that peaceful and orderly polls will be held in the region.

“Let us avoid irregularities like vote buying, violence, terrorism, arson, or intimidation of the public. The people of Bangsamoro deserve to have peaceful and orderly elections,” said Garcia.

On May 2025, the Comelec is set to conduct the first ever parliamentary elections for the BARMM.

In the past, poll exercises in the BARMM have been attended by violence, intimidation, and poll irregularities.