It’s official: No March vote for BARMM

2026-01-28 - 08:21

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, January 28, officially deferred the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections scheduled for March 30, saying they will be held “once a new date is set by law.” Comelec said the election timelines “are already too proximate which rendered the conduct of the BARMM parliamentary elections no longer feasible.” This terminates election-related activities, including the period of certain prohibited acts in connection with the polls. When the Supreme Court declared the earlier districting laws unconstitutional in late September 2025, it said the elections should be conducted not later than March 31, 2026. The SC’s decision had postponed the election that was supposed to happen on October 13, 2025. The Bangsamoro interim parliament was only able to pass a new districting measure (which determines the number of parliament seats per district) in January. A law restricts the Comelec from adjusting poll precincts 120 days before voting. Must Read How the BARMM vote works – Rappler.com