Preparations for the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026, are in place as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has stepped up operational, technical, and contingency measures ahead of the election.

As part of the preparations, COMELEC conducted a media and stakeholders walkthrough of Data Center 3 on Monday, June 22, to demonstrate the readiness and security of the technology that will be used for the consolidation and canvassing of votes during the elections.

COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia led the walkthrough and explained the technical aspects of the system, including the security protocols and “redundancy measures” designed to ensure uninterrupted operations on election day and throughout the canvassing period.

On Tuesday, June 23, election officials, security sector leaders, and other stakeholders also gathered at the headquarters of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) in Zamboanga City for the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) conference to discuss other preparations.

During the conference, WestMinCom, police officials, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) presented their security and deployment plans, including force positioning, maritime security measures, and contingency preparations for the elections.

WestMinCom said COMELEC officials also discussed election security concerns, legal guidelines, campaign-related issues, operational procedures, and coordination protocols to strengthen inter-agency preparations.

WestMinCom added that the COMELEC chief described the first parliamentary elections as a milestone in the ongoing implementation of the Bangsamoro peace process.

ELECTION PERIOD

Meanwhile, COMELEC officials said during a committee hearing of the Parliament on Thursday that the campaign period will run from July 30 to September 12.

During the hearing, lawmakers were briefed on election timelines, security deployment, and voter education campaigns ahead of the election.

The poll body reported that BARMM has around 2,393,202 registered voters and 1,186 voting centers.

The Police Regional Office-BAR also reported that 92 towns and 42 barangays were identified as areas of concern due to political rivalries and the presence of armed groups.

However, police officials said up to 7,991 personnel will be deployed to secure voting centers, COMELEC offices, checkpoints and other election-related facilities during the election.

The upcoming election is considered very important because it is part of Bangsamoro’s move toward becoming fully self-governing amid public pressure and mass demonstrations to ensure that democratic processes and political commitments in the region are properly followed and maintained.

With no official order suspending the elections and preparations continuing at full pace, government agencies are focusing on ensuring the successful conduct of the election.