Initially developed information, education and communication (IEC) materials on Bangsamoro Electoral Code were presented during the CSO Training of Trainers on Voters’ Education held on November 15-16 in Davao City. (Bai Omairah Yusop/BIO)
DAVAO CITY – In anticipation of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2025, various BARMM offices and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) underwent a Training of Trainers on Voters’ Education.
Held in Davao City on November 15-16, the training was organized by the Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress (MOSEP) Inc., as part of its Activate Bangsamoro Phase III project, supported by The Asia Foundation and funded by the British Embassy-Manila.
The primary objective of the training was to equip individuals with appropriate skills and knowledge to effectively educate voters. Recognizing the prevalence of misinformation, the training also aimed to expand the reach of information dissemination and ensure that voters are well-informed.
Election Officer Bai Maceda Abo of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) emphasized the necessity of an awareness campaign, emphasizing that many Bangsamoro residents are not fully aware of the importance of voter registration and of exercising their right to suffrage.
“It’s really important to conduct voters’ education because in the Bangsamoro areas, karamihan pa rin ay hindi alam yung kanilang right of suffrage and yung importance ng kanilang registration. […] although they know the term registration, but they do not know the essence of this registration,” Abo said, underscoring the need for a wide-scale, comprehensive voters’ education.
During the event, sample printed information, education and communication (IEC) materials were presented and reviewed based on the guidelines provided by the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO). The materials will be presented later on to the approving body of the Bangsamoro Government before its mass production and dissemination.
Additionally, the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) Philippines clarified misconceptions about the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC), discussing the frequently asked questions related to the code.
“Itinuro dito kung paano ba i-deliver yung mga information about po dito sa upcoming BARMM parliamentary elections. Kasama natin ang mga CSO partners para sa voters’ education at ang LENTE sa pagbabahagi ng information patungkol sa BEC sa ating participants,” explained Mariam Ali, program manager of MOSEP Inc.
[The manner of proper delivery of information about the upcoming BARMM parliamentary elections were presented here. We are working with CSO partners for voters’ education and LENTE in sharing information about the Bangsamoro Electoral Code to our participants.]
“Next nito ay magmi-meeting tayo sa BIO, ang office na may mandatong magpalaganap nitong advocacy sa pagkalat ng tamang impormasyon patungkol sa Electoral Code,” she added.
[The next step is to convene with the BIO, the office that is mandated to promote this advocacy of disseminating correct information about the Electoral Code.]
With the recent enactment of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, or the BEC, BARMM is gearing up for its first regional parliamentary elections, synchronized with the national elections. The BIO has been designated as the primary office entrusted for institutionalizing the IEC campaign on the provisions of BEC, as per BTA Resolution No. 412.
Empowering the voters with accurate information about the electoral process and the essence of their active participation is envisioned, as it strengthens the democratic foundation of the electoral system for more representative and effective governance. (Bai Omairah Yusop/BIO)
