Comelec downplays 'isolated incidents' of violence in BARMM polls

Philstar.com

September 14, 2026 | 9:51pm

COTABATO CITY,  Philippines — Bangsamoro voters largely stayed the course on Monday, choosing to exercise their right to vote despite "isolated incidents" of violence and election-related tensions that tested the first parliamentary elections in the autonomous region.

The incidents, including deadly violence in Cotabato City and the discovery of pre-shaded ballots in Maluso, Basilan, cast a shadow over the historic exercise but did not derail the broader conduct of voting across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to Commission on Election chair George Garcia.

The Comelec reported that 98.1% of polling precincts opened successfully, reinforcing early assessments that the election machinery remained operational despite the security and logistical challenges. 

Comelec placed Cotabato City under its direct control following violence that left three people dead and 15 others wounded before the polls opened, while Maluso in Basilan was similarly placed under Comelec control after pre-shaded ballots were discovered in 36 of its 68 precincts.

Instead of allowing the incidents to halt the electoral process, authorities moved to contain the problems, strengthen security and protect the integrity of the ballot.

In Maluso, Comelec ordered the reprinting of affected ballots, while voting hours were extended in Basilan to compensate for delays brought about by the ballot problem.

The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, maintained that the overall conduct of the Bangsamoro polls remained generally peaceful despite reports of shootings and explosions in some areas.

The developments underscored a broader pattern emerging from election day: isolated incidents generated tension, but the larger electoral process continued to move forward.

More than 20,000 police and military personnel were deployed to secure polling places and major routes across the region, with authorities emphasizing the protection of voters and the preservation of the electoral process.

The response also reflected the significance of the election beyond the contest among political parties and candidates.

The polls represent the culmination of a peace process that began with decades of negotiations and armed conflict and eventually led to the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the creation of BARMM and the transition of former rebels toward participation in democratic institutions.

For nearly 2.4 million registered voters, Monday’s exercise was therefore not simply about choosing representatives to an 80-member parliament but about demonstrating whether political differences in the Bangsamoro can increasingly be settled through the ballot rather than through confrontation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described the election as a milestone in the region’s continuing journey toward lasting peace, democratic governance and meaningful self-determination, while urging voters to safeguard the integrity of their votes. 

The significance of that message was underscored by the conduct of voters who continued to report to polling places despite the tensions in some communities.

The election was never expected to be entirely free of challenges in a region emerging from decades of armed conflict, political rivalry and underdevelopment.

“What reportedly became evident on election day, however, was that the problems encountered in particular areas did not automatically translate into a region-wide breakdown of the electoral process,” said a Comelec official.

Instead, election officials, security forces and local stakeholders were compelled to respond to the challenges within the framework of the law and established electoral procedures.

The election will determine the 80-member parliament, which will subsequently choose the region’s chief minister and formally replace the interim arrangement with an elected regional government. (Contributed story)