IN LESS than two months, more than 160,000 residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) have applied to become registered voters for the September 2026 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) and November 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed that there are a total of 161,429 applications filed between February 9 to March 31.
Lanao del Sur had the highest number of applicants with 50,918; followed by Maguindanao del Norte wih 31,666; and Maguindanao del Sur with 26,175.
Basilan has a total of 21,734 applicants; followed the Special Geographic Area with 16,505; and Tawi-Tawi with 14,431.
This means that the number of voter registrants have exceeded the 150,000 projection of the Comelec.
In a phone interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia cited the high interest of Barmm residents to participate in the two forthcoming elections.
"First, the BPE owing to its several postponement. Also, the BSKE. These are some of the factors," said Garcia. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)