The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is facing serious legal and operational hurdles that could derail the conduct of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, originally targeted for March 30, amid the absence of a law formally setting the election date, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said.
In a statement, Garcia said the feasibility of holding the historic elections remains uncertain, citing unresolved legal constraints and recent Supreme Court rulings that could conflict with existing timelines.
“We are now confronted with strong legal and operational issues as to whether the conduct of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary election is still feasible by March 30,” Garcia said. “Since there is no law yet fixing the date of the election, at this point, the same is still a question mark.”
The Comelec chief, meanwhile, welcomed the Bangsamoro Parliament’s passage of the proposed measure setting the parliamentary elections, calling it a “giant step” toward completing the region’s political transition.
“We commend the Bangsamoro Parliament for finally passing this important piece of legislation,” Garcia said, noting that the bill still needs to be signed by the Bangsamoro Chief Minister and must comply with its effectivity requirements before it can take force.
The Comelec chief warned, however, that a recent Supreme Court decision could complicate the election schedule, particularly its prohibition against redistricting within 120 days before an election.
“The Supreme Court clearly emphasized that there should be no redistricting 120 days before the election. Since, as mandated by the decision, we fixed the date of election on March 30, 2025, this will now run contrary to the prohibition mentioned and the provisions of the law,” he added.
Despite the uncertainties, Garcia said the poll body remains hopeful that the legal issues can still be resolved in time.
“Overall, our hope is eternal,” he said.
The Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are intended to replace the Bangsamoro Transition Authority with an elected parliament, marking a key milestone in the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the region’s transition to full self-governance.
