Comelec expects no failure of BARMM parliamentary elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting that there will be no failure of elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on its first parliamentary polls.

"Yes, siguradong-sigurado naman tayo na walang failure of election. Wala namang loss or destruction of election paraphernalia. Maaaring compromised pero hindi naman 'yung loss or destruction," Comelec chairperson George Garcia said Monday.

(Yes, we are sure there is no failure of election. There are no loss or destruction or election pharapernalia. It may be compromised but not loss or destruction.)

"'Yung violence is not to the extend na hindi na makakaboto ang mga kababayan natin," he added.

(The violence is not to the extent where voters are unable to cast their votes.)

The historic BARMM parliamentary polls kicked off on Monday, September 14, 2026, as over 5,000 voting precincts opened across the region.

Three people died while 15 others were wounded following a shootout triggered by a commotion between rival political supporters outside a school in Cotabato City on the eve of the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

The incident occurred on Monday at the Datu Usman Mampen school site in Barangay Bagua 2.

Investigators learned that the confrontation began at around 5 a.m. when supporters of rival factions —identified as UBJP and BFP camps — began jostling for priority placement in the line. — RSJ, GMA News