Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has unveiled the initial list of approved online campaign platforms for candidates and a political party participating in the upcoming September 14 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
According to Philippines News Agency, the approved online campaign platforms, as of July 22, span across major social media sites such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. The list includes one Regional Parliamentary Political Party (RPPP), two candidates for Parliamentary Sectoral Representative, and 15 candidates for Parliamentary District Representative.
The sole approved Regional Parliamentary Political Party is the Progresibong Bangsamoro Party, also known as Pro Bangsamoro. For the Parliamentary Sectoral Representative category, the official online campaign platforms belong to Mary Ann M. Arnado from the Settler Communities sector and Aida M. Silongan representing the Women's sector.
The online campaign platforms for Parliamentary District Representative candidates encompass a wide range of districts. Candidates include Abrar Jainuddin Hataman and Abdulsamie Jamalun Kallhal from Basilan, Romeo Kabuntalan Sema and Sheriff Manimbayan Abas from the City of Cotabato, and Ahmad Amir Alonto Balindong, Abdulrahman Mardan Taher, among others, from Lanao del Sur. Additionally, Rafsanjani Pendatun Ali from Maguindanao del Sur and Kadil Monera Sinolinding Jr. from the Special Geographic Area are also on the list.
The Comelec's initiative to register official online campaign platforms aims to enhance transparency and accountability in digital election campaigning. This requirement is part of the broader measures to ensure fair and credible elections in the region.
On election day, BARMM's 2,393,530 registered voters will have the opportunity to elect one Regional Parliamentary Political Party and one Parliamentary District Representative for each district. Furthermore, voters will select six nominees from Parliamentary Sectoral Organizations (PSOs), including representatives from Settler Communities, Women, Youth, Traditional Leaders, and Ulama sectors.
