Comelec still preparing for 2022 BARMM polls amid talks of postponement — Jimenez

The Commission on Elections said Friday it is not “jumping the gun” and still pushing through with the preparations for the 2022 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections despite ongoing discussions of its postponement in Congress.

“Sa BARMM elections, ongoing ang pag-uusap tungkol sa postponement ng BARMM elections. I think there are some very critical matters being discussed particularly ‘yung availability ng Bangsamoro Electoral Code as well as the completion of the districting of the Bangsamoro,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said at a press briefing.

(With regard to the BARMM elections, there are critical matters being discusses particularly the creation of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code as well as the completion of districting in the Bangasamoro.)

“Since the issues have not been resolved, kami sa Comelec, tuloy-tuloy ang paghahanda natin. We cannot jump the gun. So tuloy-tuloy lang po tayo,” he added.

(Since the issues have not been resolved, the Comelec is still pushing through with its preparations. We cannot jump the gun so we continue with our preparations.)

The Senate is currently debating on the bill seeking to postpone the first regular elections in the BARMM from 2022 to 2025.

Senator Francis Tolentino, sponsor of Senate Bill 2214, cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a major challenge in accomplishing the priority programs and projects of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA)

“Despite all these strides, the BTA has yet to complete all its tasks under the BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law). Thus, we are faced with the question of the propriety of extending the BTA term,” Tolentino said.

The BTA is supposed to oversee the BARMM until the May 2022 regional polls, which would be held simultaneous with the 2022 national and local elections.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. has previously expressed support to the extension of the transition period of the BARMM.

Malacañang, however, said it leaves the decision on the BTA extension to Congress.

In January, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan opposed the proposed deferment of the 2022 BARMM elections. — RSJ, GMA News