Comelec ready for first-ever BARMM elections on September 14

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Saturday it is all set to conduct the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on Sept. 14.

“We are 100 percent ready for the election on Monday,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of the final testing and sealing of the automated counting machines (ACMs) at the Cotabato City Institute in Cotabato City.

Garcia reminded registered voters in the region to shade the ovals on the ballot instead of putting an X so the ACMs could read their ballots.

“To the voters, do not mark the oval with an X. The requirement is to shade the oval at least 25 percent (threshold). It is okay if the shading extends slightly beyond the circle,” he said.

“Also, do not just put a dot; your eyes might see it, but the machine might not. That is why shading is better. Please do not use an X; we need to shade it (oval).”

He noted that some teachers who will assist voters encountered some issues while testing the ACMs, but these were resolved.

“Our teachers have seen some issues, such as wrong placement of this and that. That is better. This is the purpose of our final testing and sealing so that on Monday, they know what they have to do, as they have already experienced and therefore, they will not have any difficulty on Monday,” he said.

Reminders

Garcia called on the candidates to conduct their “meeting de avance” peacefully.

“Let us conduct the final campaign rally peacefully. Such gathering is part of the process,” he said.

He also urged the people in the region to remain alert – before, during, and after the polls.

“Your Commission on Elections is ready, especially regarding the peace and order situation... However, I would like to tell our fellow citizens in the Bangsamoro that vigilance should not end on Monday. We must remain watchful even after the election, because sometimes, especially those who are unsuccessful do not accept their defeat. The Comelec is prepared for such events or incidents,” Garcia said.

A total of 80 parliamentary seats will be contested in the BARMM elections.

Comelec data show the region has 2,393,202 registered voters.

-Philippine News Agency