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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has postponed the printing of ballots for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the decision to defer printing of ballots for BARMM elections was in line with the bicameral conference committee’s decision to move the polls to October 13, 2025,

Garcia said we halted the printing of ballots for the BARMM parliamentary elections since an enrolled bill moving the election date is likely to become law

But, Garcia confirmed that the printing of ballots for the national and local elections in BARMM remains as scheduled.

Comelec has printed approximately 32 million ballots—42% of the total required for the May 12 elections—and remains on schedule. The commission previously announced that printing would be completed by March, with verification set for April.

If the bill moving the BARMM parliamentary elections to October 13 is enacted, Comelec will assess whether the existing list of candidates will be retained or if a new filing of candidacy will be required.

Under the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, Sulu was allocated seven of the 80 parliament seats.

However, after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in September, it ruled that Sulu was no longer part of the BARMM.

This decision necessitates the redistribution of the vacated seats.

“Kung magkakaroon ng redistrubution, mukhang kakailanganin merong bayan sa district na ito, ilipat sa kabilang distrito o mag create ng panibagong mga distrito,” Garcia explained.

“Pag nagkaganoon, maa-alter yung mga bilang ng bayan sa bawat distrito. Therefore, kinakailangan kaming magpa-open ng filing of candidacy doon sa mga lugar na maapektuhan.”

According to the Comelec, 109 aspirants have filed their candidacies for district representative seats in the 2025 Bangsamoro polls.