The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced the postponement of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election (BPE) to March 30, 2026.
According to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, the decision to postpone the election was due to a lack of time to adequately prepare for the BARMM parliamentary polls.
Garcia explained that from an operational standpoint, the commission would no longer be able to conduct the elections within just one month and two weeks.
Because of this adjustment, Comelec said it will wait for Congress to pass a law determining the new date of the elections.
Garcia also noted that as a result of the change, the existing calendar of activities—such as the implementation of the gun ban—is no longer valid.
He added that there will be no reduction or cut in the budget allocated for the BARMM elections.
Meanwhile, Garcia emphasized that the BPE must still push through.
He said that once a law is enacted, Comelec will do everything possible to ensure the elections are held—whether manually or through automation—provided there is sufficient time.
