Voting hours in Basilan town extended by two hours; elections generally peaceful — Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended the voting period by two hours in the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the municipality of Al-Barka in Basilan due to the incident involving the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and other partisan groups.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body en banc approved the extension of voting in the town up to 9 p.m. from the original 7 p.m. deadline.

“The reason for this is that tensions arose involving certain groups of MILF fighters and commanders, as well as other partisan groups; consequently, our teachers were unable to immediately enter the area and secure the necessary materials, particularly the ballots,” the poll body chief said in a press conference.

On the other hand, Garcia reported that the reprinted ballots for the municipality of Maluso, also in Basilan, are on its way to the town after these were printed at the National Printing Office in Quezon City.

It was reported that a total of 16,563 official ballots of 36 polling precincts were pre-shaded, prompting the Commission to reprint them.

Proclamation

Winners in the polls are only allowed to bring four companions during the proclamation.

“Relative to the September 14, 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE), candidates who will be proclaimed as winners in the said elections are allowed to bring four (4) companions during the proclamation at the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), Camp Siongco in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte,” said Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, chairperson of the Gun Ban and Security Concerns Committee.

At the same time, the poll boy official asked the candidates to submit the list of complete names of their guests/companions; plate numbers of vehicles to be used; and the name of the driver of each vehicle to the Bangsamoro Electoral Office through its electronic mail (email) address at redo_barmm@comelec.gov.ph, with a copy furnished to the Gun Ban and Security Concerns Committee (GS) through gunban@comelec.gov.ph:

“Bringing of firearm/s into the proclamation venue is strictly prohibited. Should any firearm/s be brought to the venue, it shall be deposited in accordance with the applicable security protocols,” she said.

Generally peaceful

Garcia added that Monday's polls are generally peaceful, although there were reported incidents of explosions and shootings that killed four people in Cotabato City.

He also expressed sadness over the deaths of victims.

“At present, we can say that our elections are generally peaceful. However, unfortunate incidents did occur—especially here in Cotabato City. We are saddened by this. We condemn such incidents, particularly those that resulted in the deaths of our fellow citizens,” the poll body chief said.

Earlier, the Commission has placed Cotabato City and Maluso under its control amid the said incidents.

Voter turnout

Garcia believed that they can still achieve an 80 percent voter turnout.

“I believe that we can indeed achieve the very high voter turnout I mentioned. Despite the scorching heat, there are long lines of our fellow citizens. Even in areas where disturbances occurred, the lines of those wishing to vote remain long,” he said.

“I believe the people of Bangsamoro have shown that they are not afraid—whether there is gunfire, unrest, or even fistfights. It doesn't really matter; they will vote. We are grateful to them for the trust they have placed in the Comelec,” added Gacia.

BARMM has a total of 2,393,202 registered voters.