Full Breakdown
First Regular Parliamentary Election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
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Core Event
On September 14 2026, voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) cast ballots in the region’s first regular parliamentary election. Approximately 2.3 million registered voters participated across 5,212 precincts in 32 districts, covering 105 municipalities and three cities. Eighty seats were contested: 40 party-list, 32 district and eight sectoral seats. Voting ran from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with an early-voting window for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women.
Background & Context
The BARMM was created under the 2014 peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Republic Act No. 11054 established the autonomous region and the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which governed from 2019 until this election, marking the end of the seven-year transition and the first fully elected parliamentary body.
Data & Statistics
- Voter registration: 2.3 million (BARMM government).
- Precincts: 5,212 (BARMM government).
- Party-list vote totals (PPCRV unofficial count, 8:02 p.m.):
- Bangsamoro Federalist Party – 456,658 votes
- United Bangsamoro Justice Party – 405,250 votes
- BARMM Grand Coalition – 278,043 votes
- Sectoral vote totals (PPCRV initial transmission, 8:20 p.m.):
- Settler communities – UBJP leads with 568,283 and 523,021 votes.
- Women – UBJP’s Aida Silongan – 548,325 votes (41.9%).
- Youth – UBJP’s Sulfey bbas – 495,756 votes (40.0%).
- Ulama – UBJP’s Muhammad Nadzir Ebil – 512,418 votes (41.1%).
- Traditional leaders – UBJP’s Marjanie Macasalong – 537,257 votes (39.9%).
- Returns received: 43.3 % of expected returns (2,427 of 5,212) by 7:30 p.m. (COMELEC).
- Pre-poll incidents: A shooting in Cotabato City killed three and injured 15; an IED injured its carrier. In Maluso, Basilan, pre-shaded ballots were found in 36 of 68 precincts, prompting re-printing.
Official Statements & Responses
- COMELEC Chair George Erwin Garcia pledged that “on the night of the election, you will know who won” and warned against violence or vote-buying, placing Cotabato City and Maluso under COMELEC control.
- Philippine Army Spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-Ala confirmed troops were deployed to strategic areas and checkpoints were set up to monitor threats.
- Local security officials extended voting hours in Al-Barka, Basilan, after polling opened late.
On-the-Ground Reports
Soldiers manned checkpoints in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, as a precaution. Student volunteers from NAMFREL launched an independent QR-code verification initiative on September 14, allowing the public to track transmitted results. Early-voting instructions emphasized proper ballot shading, ink drying and a brief wait before inserting ballots into counting machines.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The PPCRV’s parallel count is unofficial and may change as additional returns are canvassed. Discrepancies could appear between PPCRV figures and the official COMELEC canvass, but no concrete conflicting numbers are reported at the time of writing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “On the night of the election, you will know who won,” — George Garcia, COMELEC chairperson
What’s Next
The newly elected 80-member parliament is slated to assume office later this month, after which it will elect the region’s chief minister. The next BARMM parliamentary elections are planned for 2031, to be held concurrently with national and local polls.