Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday resumed the printing of official ballots for the Oct. 13 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) with the goal of finishing it by mid-September. At a press briefing, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia stated that 2.25 million ballots need to be printed for the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

According to Philippines News Agency, the ballots are designated for specific areas, including Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, the Special Geographic Area, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur. Garcia highlighted the importance of the verification process for the printed ballots, emphasizing the need to avoid defective ballots. The verified ballots will be forwarded to the Packing and Shipping Committee starting Friday, with deployment scheduled to begin on Sept. 5.

Garcia also addressed the issue of seven parliamentary seats originally allocated to Sulu province. A recent law signed by BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua redirected these seats, posing a challenge for the Comelec due to the approaching election date. Garcia proposed that the seats be filled after the BPE to ensure the election proceeds as planned.

The Supreme Court previously ruled that Sulu is excluded from BARMM due to the province's rejection of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Garcia noted that the final decision regarding the seven seats rests with the Bangsamoro Parliament, stressing the importance of not delaying the election on October 13. He affirmed that preparations for the BPE will continue unless a court issues a temporary restraining order.