THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday, July 27, 2025, expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the mock Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE).
In a phone interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they are happy with the results of the mock polls on Sunday for the October 13 electoral exercise in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).
"Kuntento kami sa resulta ng mock polls. Lahat po ng ninais natin ay nangyari at naisakatuparan," said Garcia.
(We are satisfied with the results of the mock polls. Everything we hoped for happened and was successfully carried out.)
A total of 399 out of the 400 expected voters cast their votes during the mock polls, which were held from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The results of the voting were completely transmitted to the Regional Board of Canvassers past 11 a.m., also on Saturday.
"Handang handa naman ang Comelec... Syempre may mga konti pa tayong kailangan i-adjust," said Garcia.
(The Comelec is fully prepared... Of course, there are still a few minor adjustments we need to make.)
Given the satisfactory mock polls, he said he is hopeful that the BPE will have a high voter turnout.
In a separate interview, Garcia said he hopes that many Barmm voters will come out and vote in the first-ever parliamentary polls in the region.
"Umaasa ako na mataas pa din ang voter turnout sa Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections," said the poll chief.
(I’m hopeful that voter turnout will still be high in the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.)
He said they will endeavor to educate as many Barmm voters as possible in order to generate more public interest.
He also asked other stakeholders, including the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and poll watchdogs, to help educate the 2.3 million Barmm voters.
"May sapat pang panahon para sa voters education, para maikalat ang information sa mga kababayan natin," said Garcia.
(There is still enough time for voter education and to spread information to our fellow citizens.) (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)