Bangsamoro polls to proceed - Comelec

The Commission on Elections Comelec) has no plans to postpone the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following a Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu from BARMM.

- MAYEN JAYMALIN

Comelec Chairman George Garcia admitted he was surprised by the ruling, but gave assurance that the poll body would make necessary adjustments.

“At this point, we will proceed with the elections in Bangsamoro. We don’t want to be uncertain not only for the candidates, but also for everyone who are waiting for developments due to the Supreme Court (SC) ruling,” Garcia said yesterday.

He said the SC ruling gave the Comelec a major problem as all preparations for the Bangsamoro elections in May next year included Sulu.

Garcia said the decision of the high court has numerous implications and the Comelec must take immediate action on the matter.

He said the Comelec would discuss plans and actions today.

“But again, at this point, we are not thinking of postponing or resetting the Bangsamoro elections,” he said.