MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has instructed political parties and sectoral groups in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to undergo a fresh registration process to participate in this year’s Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
According to Comelec Chair George Garcia, all previously accredited organizations—including 20 Regional Parliamentary Political Parties and 191 Parliamentary Sectoral Organizations—must reapply for accreditation.
The directive came after the enactment of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 88, which invalidated the earlier accreditations issued to these groups.
Garcia said the election body will reopen the filing of accreditation petitions next week.
He also clarified that new organizations and groups that were previously denied accreditation will be allowed to apply.
Based on the proposed timeline, Regional Parliamentary Political Parties with at least 5,000 registered voters in the Bangsamoro region may submit their applications to the Bangsamoro Registration and Accreditation Committee from March 17 to 20.
New applicants must submit a Verified Petition for Registration, while previously accredited political parties are required to file a Verified Manifestation.
For Parliamentary Sectoral Organizations, the filing period is scheduled from March 16 to 23. Applicants must also submit the names of their three nominees.
Groups that are applying for the first time or were previously denied must file a Verified Petition for Registration, while organizations that were earlier accredited need to submit a Verified Manifestation in place of a petition.
elamigo/xf
