Political parties to educate BARMM voters on parliamentary polls

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Officials of four major political parties in the Bangsamoro Autonomus Region in Muslim Mindanao yesterday vowed to help educate voters on the modalities of the first ever parliamentary election in the BARMM.

Earlier, the Commission on Elections allowed 16 political parties to field candidates in the BARMM elections scheduled on Sept. 14.

Voters’ groups and officials of cause-oriented organizations have complained about the apparent lack of knowledge of villagers on the intricacies of the first parliamentary electoral exercise  in the region, unlike in the synchronized local and national elections that are held every three years nationwide.

An incumbent member of the BARMM Parliament, Naguib Sinarimbo of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, said that parties could launch a massive information campaign to ensure that voters, particularly in remote areas, understand and know how to exercise their rights of suffrage.

BARMM Labor and Employment Minister Muslim Sema, who is president of the Bangsamoro Party of the Moro National Liberation Front, said that information officers of the labor ministry can work with public school teachers and media entities in educating voters.

“We have to work hard for voters to become aware of the procedure pertaining to the electoral exercise,” Sema said.

Governors Mamintal Adiong Jr. and Mujiv Hataman of Lanao del Sur and Basilan, respectively, said that political parties must encourage their members and supporters to adhere to Islamic teachings on the sanctity of electoral exercises.

Adiong is one of the leaders of the Serbisyong Inklusibo, Alyansang Progresibo, and founder of the Bangsamoro People’s Party.

Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran, chief of the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City, said the commitments of BARMM political leaders augur well with the preparations being undertaken by the Army to ensure a safe and clean elections in the region’s five provinces and three cities.