Murad warns delay in redistricting law could reset BARMM polls again

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Former Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim chief minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim said he doubts the first Bangsamoro parliamentary election will proceed on March 30, 2026, warning that the absence of a redistricting law would likely derail the region’s political transition.

In a statement on Tuesday, December 9, Ebrahim, who also chairs the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said legal obstacles could invalidate the polls if the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) fails to pass a new measure reconfiguring parliamentary districts on time. A senior BTA official, however, said the parliament was working to pass such a measure before the end of December.

Ebrahim’s warning, issued on behalf of the MILF, came as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) acknowledged it is facing uncertainty over the rescheduled vote.

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Delays in passing a districting law have stalled the commission’s preparations, with Comelec officials saying they cannot finalize ballot design, precinct assignments or other logistical plans without clear legislation.

Ebrahim said the Comelec has acted in “good faith” but noted that current timelines are legally untenable. He cited a law prohibiting any change to precinct or territorial boundaries within 120 days before an election.

The MILF urged the BTA to prioritize the measure to protect the integrity of the peace process by holding the polls on March 30, 2026. 

“We urge the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament to immediately pass a reasonable, fair, and constitutionally compliant districting law,” Ebrahim said. He warned that further delays could undermine the credibility of the first regional parliamentary government.

He said the regional elections should be held next year and that stakeholders should avoid a prolonged transition.

The MILF said it is ready to work with the Comelec, the BARMM government, civil society and other sectors to ensure a peaceful and legitimate process.

Earlier, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the commission is waiting for a BARMM law defining electoral districts, which is required for holding the elections.

“At the moment, we really are in a quandary about what will happen in Bangsamoro,” Garcia told reporters in a report by Bilyonaryo News Channel on Tuesday, December 9.

The elections were originally scheduled for October but were postponed after the Supreme Court struck down two districting laws, leaving the region without a legal basis for representation. The court ordered the BARMM Parliament to draft a new law that could withstand judicial review, a task that remains unfinished.

Garcia said the commission is concerned that any measure passed after the court’s November 30 deadline could conflict with existing laws, particularly if BARMM legislators add provisions beyond district representation.

He said the Comelec is assessing whether the elections can still be held on March 30.

“The problem is, if the districting law comes later, it may violate our laws,” Garcia said. – Rappler.com