Marcos Urges Voters to Safeguard Ballot, Preserve Peace in BARMM Elections

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. encouraged voters to protect the integrity of their votes and preserve peace during the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). In a video statement released Monday, September 14, Marcos called the BARMM elections a "milestone" in the region's transition toward democratic governance and self-determination. "I therefore encourage every qualified voter to take part in this momentous event with wisdom, dignity, and respect for one another," Marcos said. Data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) show there are 2,393,202 registered voters in BARMM expected to participate in the elections. Comelec Chairman George Garcia said in August that the poll body was hoping for a 75% voter turnout. The polls are intended to establish a democratically elected Bangsamoro government and fill the 80-seat parliament. "Let us also safeguard the integrity of the ballot and preserve the peace that has made this democratic exercise possible," Marcos said. Election watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) Philippines, meanwhile, called for immediate de-escalation and transparency following reports of gunfire and alleged ballot mishandling in several areas. This came after Comelec placed Cotabato City and Maluso, Basilan, under its control following incidents of violence and the discovery of pre-shaded ballots. At least three people were killed and 15 others wounded in a shooting in Cotabato City involving supporters of rival political parties. In Maluso, Comelec found that ballots in 36 of the municipality's 68 precincts had been compromised and pre-shaded. "The bombings and gunfire in Cotabato City and the reported ballot-handling violations in Lanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi in the opening hours of voting underscore the need for immediate corrective and protective action. LENTE calls on all stakeholders to proceed towards the path of de-escalation as tension continues to rise throughout the start of the electoral process," LENTE said in a statement.