COMELEC Hosts Consultative Meeting with Voter Education Partners Ahead of BARMM Parliamentary Elections
COTABATO CITY (July 22, 2025) — In preparation for the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections set for October 13, 2025, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) held a consultative meeting with voter education stakeholders on Tuesday at Suraya Hall, Mall of Alnor, Cotabato City.
The meeting aimed to enhance voter awareness and participation throughout the region and gathered a diverse group of partners, including the Bangsamoro Multimedia Network (BMN), Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), The Asia Foundation, UNDP, Non-Violent Peaceforce, Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress Inc. (MOSEP), United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO), and members of the local media.
Atty. Frances Carolyn M. Aguindadao-Arabe, Acting Director IV of the Education and Information Department, opened the program with a message emphasizing the historical and global significance of the elections.
“This electoral exercise did not come easy; it is rooted in decades of struggle, sacrifice, and the enduring desire of the Bangsamoro people to achieve meaningful autonomy, lasting peace, and inclusive development,” she said. “This election is not merely a regional or national event; it is one of global importance,” she emphasized.
The meeting also featured a presentation on the current status of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Sectoral Organization, outlining developments in the selection and representation of various sectors in the upcoming parliament.
COMELEC’s Mark Christopher D. Ramirez, the Focal Person of Botong Bangsamoro Voter Education Campaign introduced the commission’s voter education campaign, “Botong Bangsamoro 2025”, aimed at informing citizens about their rights and responsibilities as voters in the region.
In addition, COMELEC announced the grand launch of the BARMM Parliamentary Elections voter education campaign, scheduled for August 19 in Cotabato City where their official partners in doing the voter education campaign will be announced that day. Voter registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will also resume from August 1 to 10, 2025, covering new registrations, reactivation, corrections, and overseas-to-local transfers.
“Ang BARMM din po ay magkakaroon ng voter registration but only for the purpose of BSKEs,” clarified Atty. Aguindadao-Arabe, confirming that this registration will not apply to the parliamentary elections.
The event concluded with an open forum, where attendees asked questions and shared insights. Participants expressed appreciation for the collaborative discussions, marking a significant step forward in ensuring an informed and empowered electorate in the Bangsamoro region. (Contributors: Jiego B. Mama, Mohaimen P. Atuan, Rohamina N. Dimaukom, & Rosmina D. Nanding, OJT MSU Islamic Studies Students, BMN/BangsamoroToday)
