COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Candidates and elected officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are being reminded to leave polling centers after casting their votes as election authorities move to prevent possible interference during the region’s historic parliamentary elections on September 14.
Renault Macarambon, the newly assigned Provincial Election Supervisor of Maguindanao del Norte, emphasized that candidates and other political figures should not remain inside voting centers once they have completed their ballots.
The reminder comes just days before the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), a landmark vote expected to transform BARMM from an interim, appointed administration into an elected parliamentary government. About 2.4 million registered voters are expected to participate in the September 14 polls.
Officials warned against lingering inside polling centers
The rule is particularly significant for barangay officials and politicians, who have historically been among those most likely to remain around polling places after voting.
A MindaNews report quoted Macarambon as saying that police personnel have been instructed to clear polling areas if barangay captains, politicians or other unauthorized individuals remain after casting their ballots.
Only authorized election personnel, legitimate watchers and voters are supposed to remain inside the voting center during the voting process.
The objective is straightforward: keep polling places neutral and prevent political personalities from influencing voters or disrupting the electoral process.
Macarambon also instructed election officers to remain impartial and nonpartisan so voters can make their choices freely.
Why the rule matters in BARMM
The September 14 election carries extraordinary political significance.
Created in 2019, BARMM has been governed by the appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) while preparations for the first regular parliamentary election were completed. The new parliament will consist of 80 members, with seats distributed among district, party and sectoral representatives.
The election has already been postponed four times, making the September 14 vote a major milestone in the region’s long-running political transition.
The stakes are therefore much bigger than a routine election.
The parliamentary vote is expected to determine the political leadership of the autonomous region for the next five years and represents a major step in implementing the Bangsamoro peace process.
Election security remains a major concern
The stricter polling-place rules come as security agencies intensify preparations across BARMM.
The Philippine National Police previously identified 108 areas of concern ahead of the September 14 elections. Lanao del Sur accounted for the largest number of high-risk areas, while other BARMM provinces also had areas classified under varying levels of security concern.
Authorities have also increased checkpoint operations. COMELEC said the number of checkpoints across the region could rise as election day approaches, following security concerns including the August 15 ambush attempt involving BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
The Philippine Army has likewise urged candidates and political stakeholders to reject violence and support peaceful, credible elections.
COMELEC preparations move into final phase
COMELEC has reported positive results from its election simulation exercises, with 10 clustered precincts in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte and Tawi-Tawi reporting successful completion of voting, counting and transmission procedures.
Official COMELEC election procedures also emphasize the responsibility of electoral boards to maintain order inside polling places and enforce lawful orders when necessary.
The rules are designed to ensure that voters can enter, cast their ballots and leave without intimidation, political pressure or unnecessary congestion.
Poll supervisors reshuffled ahead of election day
The enforcement reminder also comes amid a last-minute reshuffling of provincial election supervisors in BARMM.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that COMELEC reassigned Macarambon from Lanao del Sur to Maguindanao del Norte, while Mohammad Nabil Mutia moved into the Lanao del Sur post. The changes took effect September 7, just one week before the parliamentary election.
The reassignment adds another layer to the election preparations in provinces where security and political tensions remain closely monitored.
What voters should expect on September 14
For voters, the message from election officials is increasingly clear: polling centers are for voting—not political gatherings.
Candidates, barangay officials and other political personalities who are not authorized to remain inside should cast their ballots and leave, while election personnel and legitimate watchers perform their official duties.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also declared September 14 a special non-working day in BARMM, giving residents the opportunity to participate in the region’s first regular parliamentary elections.
With approximately 2.4 million registered voters expected to participate, the September 14 vote will be closely watched not only for its results but also for whether BARMM can conduct its first parliamentary election peacefully, credibly and without political interference.
And with election day now just days away, the biggest test may not simply be who wins the seats—it may be whether the region can prove that its historic first parliamentary vote can be carried out under rules that put voters first.
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