As the September 14, 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections draw near, Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Mojica Garcia is leaving nothing to chance.
Demonstrating his trademark hands-on leadership, Garcia assured the public that the COMELEC is fully prepared for what is expected to be one of the most significant electoral exercises in the region’s history. His message is clear and unequivocal: every vote must count, every precinct must function, and every voter must be able to exercise their democratic right peacefully and securely.
“Handang-handa na po ang COMELEC para sa ating September 14, 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Election,” Garcia declared, emphasizing that election preparations are already in full swing.
Central to COMELEC’s strategy is the strengthening of election security. Garcia revealed that, if necessary, checkpoints throughout the region will be jointly manned by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other government agencies. However, he was quick to stress that security measures must always respect the rights of motorists and passengers.
According to Garcia, law enforcement personnel have been instructed to strictly observe the “plain view doctrine” and ensure that security operations do not infringe upon civil liberties.
Beyond security concerns, Garcia has set an ambitious but critical goal for the upcoming polls.
“Isa lang ang instruction natin: Walang failure of election sa kahit na anong presinto sa buong 5,212 na presinto sa buong Bangsamoro.”
The statement reflects Garcia’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every one of the 5,212 polling precincts across the Bangsamoro region successfully conducts elections without disruption.
Recognizing the need for more accurate and unified reporting of election-related incidents, Garcia also called for the creation of a Technical Working Group composed of COMELEC, the PNP, and the AFP. The initiative aims to establish a common definition and methodology in classifying election-related violence, a long-standing issue that has often resulted in discrepancies between data reported by election authorities and security agencies.
By promoting inter-agency coordination, Garcia hopes to create a more transparent and reliable system for monitoring security threats and ensuring public confidence in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, COMELEC is also intensifying preparations on the technical side of the elections. Garcia disclosed that training and roadshow ballots are currently being printed at the National Printing Office. These ballots are designed to closely resemble the actual ballots that will be used during election day, allowing election personnel and teachers to familiarize themselves with the voting process and automated election equipment.
The initiative is expected to help identify potential operational issues early while giving teachers and election workers hands-on experience in setting up and managing voting machines.
Under Garcia’s stewardship, COMELEC continues to pursue a proactive approach that combines security, transparency, technological preparedness, and voter confidence. His leadership reflects a determination not only to conduct an election but to deliver a credible, orderly, and peaceful democratic exercise for the people of Bangsamoro.
As election day approaches, Chairman George Garcia’s message resonates across the region: preparation is the best guarantee of a successful election, and for COMELEC, failure is simply not an option.
