Comelec Prepared to Halt BARMM Election Preparations if Postponement Law Passes

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is poised to pause its preparations for the inaugural Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE) scheduled for next year, should a law delaying the event be passed. Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco stated during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing that the commission is ready to comply with any legislative decision. He mentioned that if the law does not come into effect, preparations will continue as planned. The statement comes in response to House Bill 11444, which the House of Representatives approved on its final reading. This bill proposes shifting the BARMM elections from May 12, 2025, to May 11, 2026. Laudiangco emphasized that the Comelec will keep a close watch on the progress of this bill, noting that it still requires Senate approval and the President’s signature to become law. The BPE is set to coincide with the national midterm elections in May 2025.