Nearly 10,000 sign up for BARMM vote

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February 16, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — About 10,000 residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao participated during the first week of the BARMM voter registration, the Commission on Elections said.

According to the Comelec, 9,636 applications were received from Feb. 9 to 14, marking a strong start to the registration period, which runs until March 31.

Maguindanao del Norte recorded the highest number of registrants with 2,819 applications, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the regional total.

On Feb. 14 alone, the province processed 719 applications.

Other provinces logged the following cumulative totals for the week: Maguindanao del Sur with 1,768; Lanao del Sur, 1,433; Basilan, 1,325; Special Geographic Area, 1,175; and Tawi-Tawi, 1,116.

While most provinces maintained a steady daily turnout, Lanao del Sur reported zero applications on Feb. 14 despite posting a significant cumulative total earlier in the week.

“Our fellow citizens in BARMM warmly welcomed the resumption of registration when Comelec reopened it on Feb. 9. We expect that more than 300,000 applicants will be added,” Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said in an interview. 

The Comelec said preparations for the parliamentary elections are underway, including the reaccreditation of political parties and sectoral organizations as required under the amendments to the Bangsamoro Electoral Code.

Officials estimate that four to six months would be needed to complete the accreditation, ballot design, printing, training of teachers and voter education for the BARMM polls.

Laudiangco said the Comelec is implementing the Register Anywhere Program to accommodate voters residing outside the BARMM.

“Even if you are in Metro Manila or in another metropolitan area for work or study but still wish to vote in BARMM, you may register there and we will transmit your records to BARMM. This is a very good program that adds convenience and accessibility for our citizens,” he said.