**Philippines’ Bangsamoro Region Holds Historic Parliamentary Elections**
*September 14, 2026*
In a significant milestone for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), nearly 2.4 million voters participated in the region's first parliamentary elections on September 13, 2026. This election marks a pivotal moment in the region's journey towards self-governance, following decades of conflict and insurgency.
The elections are set to fill 80 parliamentary seats, which include 40 representatives from political parties, 32 district representatives, and eight sectoral representatives. The newly elected parliament will also be responsible for electing the region's chief minister during its inaugural session. This parliamentary body is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future governance of BARMM, which was established in 2019 as part of a peace agreement aimed at addressing long-standing issues of identity, autonomy, and self-determination for the Muslim population in the southern Philippines.
Election officials expressed optimism for a high voter turnout, aiming for at least 80 percent participation, particularly after previous elections were postponed for several years. However, the lead-up to the elections was marred by violence, raising concerns about security and the electoral process.
On the eve of the elections, Cotabato City was placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) following a shooting incident that resulted in three fatalities and left 15 others injured. Additionally, an improvised explosive device detonated, injuring the individual carrying it, while a separate gunfire incident occurred without reported injuries. In response to these incidents, COMELEC Chairman George Garcia emphasized the need for a secure voting environment and vowed to hold accountable anyone attempting to disrupt the elections through violence or vote-buying.
Further complicating the electoral process, the town of Maluso in Basilan was also placed under COMELEC control after pre-shaded ballots were discovered in 36 out of 68 precincts. Garcia ordered the immediate reprinting of ballots for the affected areas, which will delay voting in those precincts.
In a statement prior to the elections, Garcia highlighted the significance of this electoral exercise, stating, “These elections stand on generations of Bangsamoro struggle for homeland, identity, and self-determination, in the face of dispossession, marginalization, conflict, and sacrifice.”
The elections signal the conclusion of the transition period under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which was established in 2019 as an interim governing body following a comprehensive peace agreement signed in 2014. This agreement was a result of years of negotiations involving the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which had previously sought a separate Muslim state in the predominantly Catholic nation. The transition to BARMM represents a commitment to broader autonomy and the demobilization of former MILF combatants.
Historically, the region has been plagued by violence, with an estimated 150,000 lives lost since the onset of conflict in the 1970s. However, recent years have seen a notable decline in violence, suggesting a potential shift towards stability and governance in the region.
As polling stations closed at 7 PM local time (11:00 GMT), the results of this historic election will be closely monitored both locally and internationally, as the Bangsamoro region takes a crucial step towards self-determination and governance. The outcome will not only shape the political landscape of BARMM but also influence the broader socio-political dynamics in the Philippines.