DESPITE the uncertainty surrounding the October 2025 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the calendar of activities, including the election period and campaign period.
Based on Resolution No. 11132, the Comelec has laid down the calendar of activities and periods of prohibited acts relative to the conduct of the first-ever parliamentary polls on October 13.
The Comelec said the last day to post the computerized voters list for the BPE is August 7.
On the other hand, August 9 is the final day to post the List of Candidates in the BPE.
The election period for the BPE is set from August 14 to October 28.
During the election period, it shall be prohibited to carry firearms or other deadly weapons, use of security personnel and bodyguards, suspension of elective officials, and transfer of civil servants.
Meanwhile, the campaign period for the BPE is set from August 28 to October 11.
During the campaign period, it shall be prohibited for candidates and their relatives to give donations, disburse public funds, construction of public works, and promote or give salary increases to public personnel.
On the eve of Election Day, the Comelec said it is already prohibited to campaign, as well as selling, buying, or serving of intoxicating liquors.
Come Election Day, the counting and canvassing of votes shall immediately come after the close of voting.
The release of the calendar of activities comes despite the Comelec still waiting for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to decide what to do with the seven parliamentary seats originally allocated for Sulu, which has been excluded from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).
The Comelec has given the BTA until the middle of June to inform the poll body what will be done with the seven parliamentary seats for Sulu. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)