MANILA, Philippines — The move of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to conduct mass voter education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will help the people in the region realize democracy, the BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC) said on Wednesday.
According to the coalition, the campaign will contribute to the people’s desire for autonomy.
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“The success of this electoral exercise is vital to the culmination of our decades-long struggle for self-determination and self-governance,” Sulu Governor Abubakar Tan was quoted as saying in a statement.
“Understanding the mechanics of a parliamentary election is essential for the people of the Bangsamoro region. The new system represents a significant shift from previous electoral processes, and it is imperative that every voter [be] well-informed about how it operates,” he added.
Meanwhile, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director-General Teng Mangudadatu added that the BGC will work with the Comelec to disseminate information throughout the region.
“Our coalition will work closely with the Comelec to reach every corner of the Bangsamoro region, ensuring that no voter is left uninformed about the importance and mechanics of the parliamentary elections,” Mangudadatu said in the same statement.
“Democracy thrives when the electorate is educated and engaged. If the people do not understand the electoral exercise, democracy itself is at risk of failing,” he added.
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On Wednesday, the Comelec and the Tesda signed a memorandum of agreement for a voter education drive in the region.
The 2025 BARMM parliamentary elections, the first in the region, will be held simultaneously with the 2025 national and local elections.