Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) does not see any violation in the removal of Mohagher Iqbal as minister of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) months before the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE). According to Comelec, no election law has been violated as no prohibited acts were implemented at this time.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec chairperson George Garcia stated that there are currently no bans in place, emphasizing that these restrictions will only apply during the official election period. "We don't have any ban at the moment. None yet. Those bans will still apply during the election period," Garcia clarified during a forum.

Iqbal's dismissal was based on the decision of interim BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and took effect on May 18. The election period for the BPE is scheduled to begin on July 16 and will run until September 29.

During the election period, it is prohibited to transfer or detail officers and employees in the civil service, as well as suspend an elective provincial, city, municipal, or barangay officer without the Commission's approval. The BPE is set for September 14.