Bangsamoro Parliament Approves Landmark Electoral Reforms to Enhance Political Inclusion
In a significant move toward greater political inclusivity, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament passed BTA-Parliament Bill 419 during a session on Wednesday night, January 28. This legislative measure amends the Bangsamoro Electoral Code with the primary goal of lowering participation barriers for political parties, marking a pivotal step in the region's democratic evolution.
Key Amendments to Foster a More Diverse Political Landscape
The newly enacted amendments introduce two critical changes designed to empower smaller political organizations and sectoral groups. First, the law significantly eases entry requirements by reducing the required membership for party registration from 10,000 to 5,000 members. Second, it lowers the election threshold—the minimum percentage of total valid votes a party must receive to qualify for a seat in Parliament—from four percent to 2.5 percent.
Member of Parliament and Deputy Floor Leader Rasol Mitmug Jr., the proponent of the bill, hailed its passage as a "positive development" for inclusivity. Mitmug, who also serves as secretary-general of the Bangsamoro Peoples Party (BPP), has long championed efforts to diversify the regional political arena. The BPP, founded in 2019 by Mitmug alongside Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman and former Member of Parliament Amir Mawallil, positions itself as a platform for progressive and inclusive governance.
Advocating for Grassroots Representation and Democratic Accessibility
According to Mitmug, these adjustments are essential to ensuring that the Bangsamoro Parliament reflects the true diversity of its people, rather than being dominated solely by large, well-funded political machines. "The essence of our autonomy is to ensure that every voice, especially the marginalized and smaller groups, has a seat at the table," Mitmug emphasized.
He further explained that the previous requirements were viewed by many as prohibitive, potentially stifling the growth of new political ideas. "By lowering these requirements, we are opening the doors wider for genuine grassroots organizations to participate in the parliamentary system," Mitmug added. "We want a vibrant, multi-party system. Reducing the membership to 5,000 and the threshold to 2.5 percent makes the dream of representation more attainable for parties that represent specific sectors or smaller communities. This is about making our democracy more accessible and more representative of the Bangsamoro identity."
The passage of Bill 419 underscores a commitment to fostering a more inclusive political environment in the Bangsamoro region, aiming to strengthen democratic processes and ensure broader participation in governance.
