Comelec Urges Bangsamoro Transition Authority to Enact Districting Law by November 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a reminder to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) regarding the necessity of passing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) districting law by November 30, 2025. This legislation is critical to facilitate preparations for the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE).

Comelec Chairman George Garcia highlighted the stringent timeline, stating, "A law must be in place by November 30 because the Comelec needs to start the filing of candidacies on January 2, right as the office resumes operations after the long holiday break." He warned that failure to enact the law within this timeframe would severely jeopardize the election preparations, especially given that the elections will be automated. "Otherwise, we will not be able to manage it, especially since this is an automated election," Garcia added.

The poll official also expressed ongoing concerns over the uncertainty surrounding the conduct of the BPE due to the BTA's delay in passing the districting law. "Unfortunately, we are still currently waiting for news on the passage of the districting law. There is still uncertainty whether it will be passed," Garcia said, further describing the situation as "really very uncertain."

This reminder follows a directive from the Supreme Court, which mandated the BTA to enact the new districting law by October 30, 2025. The same ruling instructed the Comelec to proceed with the preparations and conduct of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections no later than March 31, 2026.

The deadline underscores the critical phase in the region's transition process and ensures that the electoral process advances according to constitutional and legal timelines.