Bangsamoro voters to use 2 ballots in 2025 polls

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VOTERS in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are set to accomplish two official ballots in May 2025, one for the national and local polls and the other for their first parliamentary elections.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said BARMM voters will be given two official ballots when they cast their votes on May 12, 2025.

“One ballot is for the national and local elections, which include senators and party-lists and local officials, and a separate ballot for the election of members of the parliament,” he added.

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He said the holding of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro region makes the holding of the 2025 polls more challenging.

“One of the biggest challenges we are preparing for is the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections because it is the first time we’ll be doing it, and it will be held simultaneously with the national and local polls. There is really extra effort and challenge for the Comelec,” said Garcia.

The Comelec will also hold the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on May 12, 2025 for the successors of the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament members.

Despite the potential creation of eight new municipalities next month, the Comelec said the first local officials to be elected by voters in the “special geographic area” in the BARMM won’t be known until after the May 2025 national and local polls.

In a televised public briefing, Comelec Spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said the election of mayors, vice mayors, and councilors of the proposed eight new municipalities will be held in next year’s midterm elections.

“In case the proposed creation of new municipalities is ratified, we expect that the election of their local officials will be done in the forthcoming May 2025 elections,” said Laudiangco.

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