MANILA, Philippines -- After the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) over ancestral domain, there is no longer any reason to postpone the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, an official of the poll body said Tuesday.

“We are relieved that there is a TRO [temporary restraining order]. Wala nang [There is no longer any] hindrance for the ARMM elections, tuloy-tuloy na kami [it’s all systems go],” Comelec Commissioner Moslemen Macarambon said during a press conference.

Comelec Chairman Jose Melo reiterated that they were “as ready as could be” to hold the first fully automated elections on August 11.

Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said that the poll body would be “100% ready” in their preparations for the automated elections.

Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said they have “carefully studied” and ironed out arrangements for the transport of all materials and equipment to far flung areas particularly in Sulu and Tawi-tawi. He added that all transport expenses were within the Comelec's budget.

Melo encouraged voters in the ARMM to participate in the elections, adding that their 'big challenge' is to show the country clean, safe, and peaceful polls.

The Comelec sees the automated ARMM polls as a “dry run” for the automation of the 2010 national elections. “If ARMM succeeds, there is no rearon not to automate the national elections,” Ferrer said.