Comelec Establishes Official Ballot Sector Sequence for Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections
In preparation for the upcoming September 2026 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially determined the order in which recognized sectors will appear on the official ballots. This decision comes through Minute Resolution 26-0276, which formalizes the arrangement recommended by the Bangsamoro Elections Special Task Force (BEST Force).
Statutory Sequence Adopted for Ballot Arrangement
The Comelec noted that Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 35 did not specify how the recognized sectors should be ordered or listed on the official ballot. To address this gap, the commission has adopted a statutory sequence as the basis for determining the ballot order. According to the resolution, the sectors will be listed as follows:
- Settler Communities
- Women
- Youth
- Ulama
- Traditional Leaders
This arrangement follows the explicit recommendation from the BEST Force, ensuring a structured and clear presentation for voters.
Voting Process and Sectoral Representation
On Election Day, each voter will cast votes for six sectoral representatives, excluding those representing the Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP). The Comelec en banc has endorsed the BEST Force's recommendation to allow each voter to cast one vote for every parliamentary sector representative seat. This approach applies to all sectoral representatives except the NMIP, who will be elected through a direct plurality of votes.
The poll body emphasized that this method ensures broader democratic participation and strengthens sectoral representation within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Additionally, the Comelec stated that adopting this clear voting framework helps avoid potential confusion or voter disenfranchisement, promoting a smoother electoral process.
Election Schedule and Seat Allocation
During the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections, six of the eight Parliamentary Sectoral Organizations (PSOs) seats will be elected on September 14, 2026. The remaining two seats, designated for the Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples, will be chosen during an Inter-Tribal Convention, separate from the general election day. This structured timeline aims to facilitate inclusive representation across all sectors in the region.
The Comelec's proactive measures underscore its commitment to a transparent and organized electoral process, aligning with the autonomous region's governance framework and enhancing voter engagement in the democratic exercise.
