Comelec sets BARMM polls on March 30

MANILA, Philippines — While waiting for the passage of the required districting law, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decided to set on March 30 the holding of the first-ever parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Aside from the election date, the Comelec also set the calendar of activities for the BARMM elections based on an assumption that a new districting law has been passed.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the election period, which includes a gun ban and other prohibitions, would run from Jan. 29 to April 14.

Candidates in the Bangsamoro parliamentary election may file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) from Jan. 5 to 9.

Garcia said the campaign period would be from Feb. 12 to March 28.

Candidates, their spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity are prohibited from making donations during the campaign period.

The Comelec said that releasing of public funds, except for medical or burial assistance, is not allowed for 10 days or from March 20 to 30.

The poll body has only until Dec. 30 to post the computerized list of voters and until Feb. 2 for the official list of candidates.

Final testing and sealing of voting machines to be used on election day will be done on March 27 or three days before the BARMM polls.

Candidates and political parties participating in the BARMM polls may  file their statements of contributions and expenditures or SOCEs until April 29.

Earlier, the Supreme Court ordered the holding of the BARMM elections not later than March 31, and directed the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to pass a new districting law by Nov. 30.

Garcia said failure by the BTA to pass the necessary districting law could lead to another postponement of the Bangsamoro parliamentary election.

The BTA is the interim governing body of the autonomous region until new officials are elected or appointed.