The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the southern Philippines conducted its inaugural parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026, a significant milestone following an extensive peace process that began in the late 1990s. This election transitions the region from appointed to elected parliamentarians, with over 2 million registered voters expected to cast ballots across more than 5,000 precincts. The polls opened as early as 5 AM for priority voters, including senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities, with regular voting commencing at 7 AM and closing at 7 PM.
The election aims to establish a parliamentary government where political parties, some originating from former rebel groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), are central. The 80-member parliament will consist of 40 regional parliamentary party representatives, 32 parliamentary district representatives, and 8 sectoral representatives, including those for non-Moro indigenous peoples, women, and youth. Voters choose one regional parliamentary political party, one district representative, and six sectoral representatives. The chief minister will be selected by the members of parliament, not directly by voters.
Despite the hopeful atmosphere, tensions were evident leading up to the vote. Three people were killed and 15 wounded in an incident just before midnight in Cotabato, stemming from a dispute between rival political factions. In response, approximately 20,000 to 20,000 security personnel, including nearly 12,000 troops and militiamen, were deployed across the region to ensure peace and order. Interim Chief Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), a faction of the MILF, was ambushed a month prior, highlighting ongoing security concerns. The Commission on Elections targets a full proclamation of winners within two days, and 108 observers from 16 international organizations are monitoring the elections.
Factions within the MILF, such as the BFP led by Macacua and the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) loyal to chairman Murad Ebrahim, are competing. Other parties include the Mahardika Party (Nur Misuari) and the Bangsamoro Party (Muslimin Sema) from the Moro National Liberation Front, as well as the BARMM Grand Coalition, which includes traditional political families. Experts anticipate that no single party will achieve a majority, making coalition formation likely. The new parliament will assume office on October 30 and hold its first session, with the government having until June 2031 to deliver progress and lasting peace.
Naguib Sinarimbo, a strategist for the BFP, emphasized the paramount importance of preserving the relative peace achieved. The electoral process itself, despite incidents, is seen as a success if conducted peacefully, paving the way for the new government to address challenges like decommissioning of arms and prioritizing regional development.
