The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is implementing a significant reduction in the number of voters assigned to each polling precinct for the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on September 14, 2026, aiming to streamline the voting process and minimize long lines.
Fewer voters per precinct
Comelec Chairman George Garcia announced in an interview that each of the 5,212 clustered precincts across 1,186 voting centers will accommodate only 600 registered voters. This is a marked decrease from the 800 to 1,000 voters per precinct during the 2025 midterm elections, a change Garcia attributed to budget constraints in the previous cycle.
“Back in 2025 (midterm polls), there were 800 to 1,000 voters per precinct because our budget was limited. Now, there will only be 600 voters per precinct,” Garcia stated. He emphasized that the adjustment is intended to shorten queues and accelerate the voting process, ensuring a more orderly election day.
Need for voter education
With the changes, Garcia stressed the importance of voter information campaigns. The Comelec will rely on political parties and citizens’ arms to help guide voters to their correct precincts. Garcia noted that voters may find themselves assigned to different precincts even within the same school where they previously voted.
“There is a possibility that even though it is in the same school, they might have been reassigned to a different precinct and not where they voted previously. We need to properly guide the voters,” Garcia said.
Registered voters for Bangsamoro polls
The Comelec reported a total of 2,393,530 registered voters for the September 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections. The reduction in precinct size is part of broader efforts to ensure a smooth and efficient electoral process in the region.
