COTABATO CITY: The government would need at least PHP1 billion to hold a separate Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), in case its original schedule set for May 2025 is postponed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday. Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia stated that this amount is only for manual polls, with the cost expected to rise to up to PHP3 billion if the polls are automated. According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia noted that the Bangsamoro polls would be held simultaneously with the national and local elections on May 12, 2025, which makes it less costly. The same teachers, machines, and election paraphernalia would be used, thereby keeping expenses the same. Garcia emphasized that the poll body always has a "plan B" in the event of a postponement, noting that their visit demonstrates that the scheduled polls will proceed as planned. A total of 73 BARMM parliamentary seats are up for grabs in the first BPE on May 12, 2025. These seats include 40 for regional political parti es, 25 for parliamentary districts, and eight for sectoral organizations. The filing period for Certificates of Candidacy (COCs), list of nominees, and Certificates of Acceptance of Nomination (CANs) for regional parliamentary political parties (RPPP) will conclude on November 9. Meanwhile, Garcia mentioned that a law should be passed to extend the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and potentially postpone the BPE. He stressed that the decision to postpone the elections is not within the jurisdiction of Comelec, as it is political in nature and should be decided by Congress or the Bangsamoro parliament. Republic Act 11593 mandates the holding of the first regular Bangsamoro parliamentary elections to coincide with the 2025 midterm polls, with the current members of the BTA's term set to expire on June 30 next year. The Bangsamoro parliament previously requested lawmakers to postpone the regional elections to address the reconfiguration of the region's new jurisdiction following the Supreme C ourt ruling that Sulu province is not part of the BARMM.