Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is aiming for a significant 75-percent voter turnout in the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections scheduled for next month.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia stated their target of at least 70 percent participation from the 2.39 million registered voters in the region for the September 14 polls. "We hope we can increase not only the awareness but also the voter turnout among our fellow citizens. I hope we can reach at least 70 percent to 75 percent, or even higher," Garcia mentioned in a telephone interview, highlighting the importance of voter involvement in the first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

Garcia emphasized the necessity of high voter turnout, saying, "If we only manage a 20 percent voter turnout here in the Bangsamoro elections, it would seem as though we didn't do anything about it." Comelec data reveals there are 2,393,202 registered voters in BARMM.

Lanao del Sur leads in the number of registered voters with 727,546, followed by Maguindanao del Sur with 469,114, and Maguindanao del Norte with 419,365. Other regions include Tawi-Tawi with 264,188, Basilan with 248,245, Special Geographic Area with 133,673, and Cotabato City with 131,071.

On Election Day, Comelec will set up 5,212 clustered precincts across 1,186 voting centers in the region's 2,185 barangays. Voters will select one Regional Parliamentary Political Party and a candidate for Parliamentary District Representative specific to their area. Additionally, they will elect six nominees for Parliamentary Sectoral Organizations, covering categories such as Settler Communities, Women, Youth, Traditional Leaders, and Ulama.