The Role of Printing of BARMM Ballots Stopped Comelec Halts Production Amid Postponement of Parliamentary Polls

The Role of Printing of BARMM Ballots Stopped Comelec Halts Production Amid Postponement of Parliamentary Polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has temporarily suspended the printing of ballots for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary polls following the approval by the bicameral conference committee to postpone the election to October 13, 2025.

Background
Initially scheduled to coincide with the May 12 midterm elections, the BARMM polls have been delayed due to the approval of a postponement bill. In response, Comelec has decided to halt the printing of ballots for the regional parliamentary polls until further notice.

Comelec Chairman's Statement
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia emphasized that given the high likelihood of an enrolled bill becoming law, it would be imprudent to continue printing ballots for the BARMM parliamentary elections. He stressed that the Comelec requires an additional budget of at least P2.5 billion to conduct a separate BARMM parliamentary poll.

Current Status
The National Printing Office (NPO) has already printed around 32 million ballots, equivalent to 42 percent of the total 72 million ballots needed for the upcoming midterm polls. The Comelec had planned to print two sets of ballots for the regional polls 2,378,829 for BARMM-NLE and 2,295,352 for BARMM-Parliament, totaling 4,674,181 ballots.

Possible Scenarios
Garcia pointed out that the parliamentary polls might be considered a continuation of the national and local elections. If this is the case, the Comelec would not need to conduct a new bidding process, as existing contracts could be amended to accommodate changes. This scenario would simplify the process and reduce costs.

Challenges Ahead
If the parliamentary polls are treated as a separate election, the Comelec will face additional challenges, including procuring new teachers, polling precincts, and election paraphernalia.

Conclusion
The postponement of the BARMM parliamentary polls has temporarily halted the printing of ballots for the region. As the Comelec awaits further instructions from the bicameral conference committee, it is crucial that they continue to monitor the situation and prepare for any possible scenarios. With an additional budget of P2.5 billion required for a separate BARMM parliamentary poll, efficient planning and resource allocation are essential to ensure a smooth and successful election process.

Keywords BARMM, parliamentary polls, Comelec, ballot printing, postponement, midterm elections

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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