The Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) expressed full support for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in pushing through with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on October 13, despite recent issues.
In a statement, the IEMC said, “The IEMC strongly supports the Comelec’s position to hold the BARMM Parliamentary Elections as scheduled, even if the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) enacts a redistricting and reapportionment law in the coming days.”
The group emphasized that delaying the BPE would hinder the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace agreement. “Further postponement of the elections would unjustly delay the establishment of an elected regional government – a key component of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” the IEMC stated.
It also stressed, “The people of BARMM deserve leaders with a clear mandate from the electorate.”
Last week, Comelec announced the temporary suspension of BPE ballot printing after receiving information that a proposed redistricting bill might affect ballot faces and printing processes.
Despite this, Comelec assured that the BARMM Parliamentary Elections will proceed as planned on October 13.