Marcos vows safe, peaceful, credible BARMM polls on Sept. 14

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has promised that the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will proceed safely and credibly on Sept. 14, 2026.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 National Peace Consciousness Month at Malacañan Palace, Marcos said the government remained committed to the vote despite several postponements. “We are prepared for the first Parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on September 14. Despite several postponements, the government never lost hope and remains fully committed to supporting this democratic exercise,” he said.

Marcos added that his administration would protect voters’ ability to cast ballots freely and without fear. He urged Bangsamoro voters to show that the region’s future would be shaped by their voices, choices and hopes for their communities.

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We are prepared for the first Parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on September 14. Despite several postponements, the government never lost hope and remains fully committed to supporting this democratic exercise.

The month-long observance marks the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front, the 40th anniversary of the Mount Data Peace Accord and the signing of an agreement fulfilling that accord with the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army.

In March, Marcos signed legislation resetting the first regular BARMM elections to Sept. 14 after the Supreme Court struck down the region’s redistricting laws, making the original October 2025 schedule legally impossible. The parliamentary elections were initially scheduled for May 2022 and were postponed repeatedly. Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, voters will choose 40 party representatives, 32 district representatives and eight sectoral representatives. Their terms will run from noon on Oct. 30, 2026, until June 30, 2031. From 2031 onward, officials will take office at noon on June 30 following each election.

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Be assured that this Administration will do everything within our mandate to ensure that the elections are safe, peaceful, and credible. We will protect the right of every Bangsamoro voter to cast a ballot freely and without fear.