MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)-- In preparation for the forthcoming parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2025, the Bangsamoro government has started initiating measures to facilitate a seamless and well-informed electoral procedure.
Interior and Local Government Minister Sha Elijah Dumama Alba said the preparations are focused on two key tracks. The first track involves the readiness of political parties and government mechanisms, while the second track is for raising awareness and enhancing voter education.
During the launch of the "Halalang Bangsamoro" podcast series by the Bangsamoro Information Office and Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), Alba shared the establishment of a speakers bureau within the BTA Parliament. Comprising lawyers, this bureau will assist in information and education campaigns related to the Bangsamoro Electoral Code.
The speakers bureau, she said, was organized in collaboration with LENTE and the Asia Foundation.
To bolster voter awareness, Alba added that comprehensive voter education materials have been developed and will be disseminated to inform the public about the elections in 2025.
Alba further disclosed that they have also coordinated with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the finalization of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code. Accordingly, the IRR is crucial as it lays down the specifics of the BARMM parliamentary elections.
"Gusto nilang isalang yung IRR by the second week of February sa Comelec en banc session para mailabas nila ang IRR kasama na rin yung calendar of activities. We look forward na makakuha na ng approved IRR para makagalaw na ang kailangan gumalaw sa ground [they want to submit the IRR in the Comelec en banc session so that they can release the IRR by the second week of February along with the calendar of activities. We look forward to getting an approved IRR so that those who need to move on the ground can already move]," she said.
BTA Deputy Speaker Lanang Ali Jr., who also joined the discussion, underscored the pivotal role of COMELEC in the first BARMM parliamentary elections. He shared that the poll body has been supportive of the BTA and has released certain resolutions that will help operationalize the provisions of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code.
The BTA deputy speaker also emphasized the need for a concerted effort to inform and educate the citizens about the unique aspects of the upcoming electoral process.
"Ito yung first time na magkakaroon tayo ng parliamentary elections dito sa Pilipinas. Iba yung nakasanayan ng ating mga kababayan sa eleksyon, pero ito ay parliamentary election, kaya kailangan natin mainform at ma-educate ang ating mga kababayan [this is the first time that we will have parliamentary elections here in the Philippines. This is different from the elections that our citizens are used to, this is a parliamentary election, so we need to inform and educate our compatriots]," he said.
