No more postponement of Bangsamoro polls: Comelec chief

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday said it would no longer allow for the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections to be postponed.

“Tuloy na tuloy na ang October 13 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections. Huwag na magduda ang iba at magsabi baka hindi itutuloy o nagbabakasakali na may strategy or whatever attempts,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.

“Comelec will proceed with the conduct of the elections on the Bangsamoro by October 13 and that is very very clear,” Garcia added.

Garcia made the statement during the stakeholders’ briefing for the Bangsamoro polls at the Palacio del Gobernador in Manila. This was attended by several officials, including Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. and other political parties.

Meanwhile, Garcia said the poll body is mulling the possible opening and filing of political party nominees in Bangsamoro again.

This, after some nominees of the political parties filed in November last year had already run in the local elections or had already left their parties.

“Tingnan natin. Although kahapon nabanggit na sa atin ang issue na yan. Kung sakali magbukas kami for COC, marapat na buksan na lang din filing ng nominado para lang mas accurate ang listahan nila,” he said in an interview with reporters.

“Palagay ko naman lahat political parties may parehas na scenario. Kung ganun the Comelec might be able to discuss and reconsider our decision. Baka naman payagan natin pag submit pa ng nominees,” he added.

BARMM, created as part of the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, has an appointed transitional government and is set to hold parliamentary elections this October 13.

Based on BARMM’s calendar of activities posted by the Comelec, election period would be from Aug. 14 to Oct. 18, while the campaign period would be slated from Aug. 28 to Oct. 11.