The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has called on all candidates and political parties to strictly follow the rules during the 45-day campaign period for the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), which begins Thursday.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia reminded candidates to avoid prohibited acts to ensure fair and orderly elections.
“Whatever rules were implemented in the May 2025 polls, they will also be implemented starting tomorrow, especially for candidates and political parties,” Garcia said Wednesday. “Starting midnight (Thursday), we will fully implement all election laws… I hope the campaigning will go smoothly so we can prove that we can conduct fair elections in the Bangsamoro.”
Among the prohibited acts are giving donations, hiring or appointing new government employees, creating new positions without Comelec approval, and granting promotions, salary increases, or benefits to government officials and GOCC employees.
The rules also ban the use of public funds for projects, construction of public works unless exempted, defacing election propaganda, using armored vehicles, and deploying police personnel as bodyguards.
Garcia also announced that Comelec will resume preparations for the October 13 elections, including the printing of official ballots at the National Printing Office starting Thursday.
“Tomorrow (Aug. 28) morning, the printing of the ballots will resume. We have adopted a resolution, which says we will continue with our preparations for the election,” Garcia said.
He added that Comelec cannot delay preparations despite uncertainties over a BARMM redistricting bill, which caused a temporary suspension of ballot printing last week.