Violence and Irregularities Mar First Parliamentary Elections in Bangsamoro Region

Voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) began casting ballots on Monday, September 14, for the region's first ever parliamentary elections. The historic vote aims to establish self governance following a 2014 peace deal between the central government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). More than two million voters are eligible to elect 80 members of parliament, who will subsequently choose the region's chief minister.

Deadly violence occurred in Cotabato City on the eve of the polls. A shooting outside a school turned polling station killed three people and wounded 15 others. Police Chief Jibin Bongcayao stated the violence began as a struggle for position in the queue between rival political factions. Additional violence was reported on Monday morning when a shooting inside the Central Pilot Elementary School in Cotabato City wounded four people, including a police officer. Separate explosions were also reported in Cotabato City, with one person injured by an improvised explosive device.

Due to these incidents, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) placed Cotabato City under its direct control. Comelec also took control of Maluso town in Basilan after discovering that ballots in 36 out of 68 precincts were pre shaded. Comelec Chairman George Garcia ordered the reprinting of those ballots. Other irregularities were reported, including allegations of identity theft and lax verification in Lanao del Sur, as well as reports of multiple voting in Maguindanao flagged by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

Security measures included the deployment of over 20,000 personnel and a code white alert raised by the Department of Health to respond to emergencies. Despite the disruptions, the Philippine National Police reported that 98.14 percent of polling centers were open by 11 a.m. on Monday.

Outlets with a center lean focused on the logistical details of the voting process and the specific security incidents. Outlets with a center left lean emphasized the historic nature of the peace process and the internal political struggles within the MILF. Outlets with a center right lean highlighted the immediate casualties and the disruption to the regional election.