Citizens in the Bangsamoro region search for their polling precints to cast votes on national and local election at Simuay Junction Elementary School, Maguindanao del Norte on May 9, 2022. (Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Government is ensuring an upright and violence-free Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang (BSK) elections this coming Oct. 30, 2023.
In an interview with Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo on Sept. 14, he shared that the BARMM Government is strengthening strict preparations to guarantee conflict-free BSK elections.
“May mga security summits na gagawin dahil may initial na pag-uusap with the Philippine National Police (PNP) atsaka Commission on Elections (COMELEC),” he said.
“Iyong army na nakadeploy sa’tin para tingnang maigi ano yung mga activities na kaya pang gawin para masigurado natin yung elections this October ay hindi magiging violent,” he emphasized.
He also stated that there is a security coordination platform that involves the BARMM Government, the PNP, COMELEC, and other significant sectors of society that have a pivotal role in maintaining peaceful and democratic elections.
Meanwhile, the PNP, in partnership with the COMELEC, developed a watchlist where the former sought analysis from the Bangsamoro Government in identifying highly contested barangays as well as those polling centers that were not areas of concern.
Sinarimbo also mentioned that BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim reiterated that the upcoming elections are nonpartisan [in nature], which emphasizes the right to suffrage of the Bangsamoro citizens.
“Ang role natin lahat in government is to ensure na merong democratic space, provided na walang mamimilit, walang violence, para free yung lahat na bumoto,” Sinarimbo reminded.
As part of the ways forward, Minister Sinarimbo highlighted significant interventions for peaceful elections involving the BSK candidates.
“Mayroon din kaming iniisip na iba pang mga paraan para magkaroon ng actual commitments yung mga candidates na magpromote sila nung peaceful, democratic, atsaka credible na elections,” he stressed.
Likewise, interventions in the upcoming election are aligned with the Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda of Chief Minister Ebrahim, particularly in sustaining and improving peace, justice, and security across the region. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
