BARMM polls: Comelec releases key dates, prohibited acts list

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released the calendar of activities and periods of prohibited activities for the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on September 14.

This is stated under Comelec Resolution No. 11214, which was promulgated last Tuesday. The Comelec noted that the resolution will take effect seven days after it is published in two daily newspapers of general circulation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12137 last March 25, which resets the elections to September. The elections have been rescheduled for the fourth time after the Comelec earlier postponed the polls from their original schedule of March 31, 2026.

READ: Garcia: Comelec has clear path of preparation for BARMM polls with reset

The Comelec has scheduled the filing of certificates of candidacy for district representatives and the filing of lists of nominees and acceptance of nomination of regional parliamentary political parties from May 5 to 7, 2026.

The election period will also run from July 16 to September 29. During this period, the poll body prohibits the following activities:

• Bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec
• Use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec
• Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct
• Transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, except upon prior approval of the Comelec
• Organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces, or similar forces
• Suspension of elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer without prior approval of the Comelec

READ: New parties emerge for historic BARMM elections

Meanwhile, the campaign period is scheduled from July 30 to September 12. The following activities are prohibited during this period:

• Giving donations by candidate, his or her spouse, or any relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or his campaign manager, agent or representative
• Appointment or use of special policemen, confidential agents, or persons performing similar functions
• Appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new positions in a government agency, or instrumentality, whether national or local, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), except upon prior authority of the Comelec
• Promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration, or privileges to any government official or employee, including those in GOCCs
• Release, disbursement, or expenditures of public funds, except those enumerated in Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC)
• Construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works except for projects or works exempted in Section 261 of the OEC, and the issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices
• Removal, destruction, obliteration, or in any manner defacing or tampering with, or preventing the distribution of lawful election propaganda
• Use of armored land, water or air craft
• Policemen and provincial guards acting as bodyguards or security guards

The illegal release of prisoners is also not allowed from July 16, 2026, to October 14, 2026, while the release of public funds, except for medical and burial assistance, is prohibited from September 4 to 14.

On the eve of election day, the following acts should not be practiced:

• Giving or accepting free transportation, drinks, food by any candidate, political party or organization
• Selling, furnishing, offering, buying intoxicating liquor
• Use of armored land, water, or air craft
• Policemen and provincial guards acting as bodyguards or security guards
• Campaigning
• Giving donations by candidate, his or her spouse, or any relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or his campaign manager, agent or representative
• Appointment or use of special policemen, confidential agents, or persons performing similar functions

During Election Day, the following acts are prohibited:

• Campaigning
• Voting more than once or in substitution of another
• Soliciting votes or undertaking propaganda for or against any candidates or political party within the polling place within 30 meters thereof
• Opening of booths, stalls within 30 meters from the polling place
• Holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races, jai-alai, or other similar sports
• Selling, furnishing, offering, buying intoxicating liquor
• Use of armored land, water, or air craft
• Policemen and provincial guards acting as bodyguards or security guards
• Giving or accepting free transportation, drinks, food by any candidate, political party or organization
• Giving donations by candidate, his or her spouse, or any relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or his campaign manager, agent or representative
• Appointment or use of special policemen, confidential agents, or persons performing similar functions

The Comelec also said that candidates will have until October 14 to file their statements of contributions and expenditures. /mcm