Historic first BARMM parliamentary polls kick off; over 5,000 precincts open - GMA Network

The first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) kicked off on Monday, September 14, 2026, as over 5,000 voting precincts opened across the region.

In the course of election day, priority voters — including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women—can take advantage of early voting hours from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Meanwhile, regular voting hours will run from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Priority voters may still cast their ballots during regular voting hours and will retain priority queue access. All designated priority polling areas are located on the ground floor of voting centers.

Voters are expected to select one regional parliamentary political party, one district representative, and six sectoral representatives (two for Settler Communities, and one each for Women, Youth, Ulama, and Traditional Leaders).

Voters are allowed to bring a prepared list or sample ballot ("kodigo") of their chosen candidates, provided it reflects their personal selections.

The election is expected to yield 80 parliamentary members composed of 40 Regional Parliamentary Party Representatives, 32 parliamentary district representatives, and 8 sectoral representatives.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) previously stated that it targets a full proclamation within two days.

To ensure peace and order throughout the elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been on full alert in BARMM since September 11.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia urged the public to report any anomalies that may hamper the peaceful and organized conduct of the elections.

A total of 108 observers representing 16 international organizations are also monitoring the historic polls, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

They are scheduled to oversee election activities in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, the Special Geographic Area, Marawi City, Lamitan, Isabela, Bongao, and Zamboanga City. — BM, GMA News