Tight security measures are in place in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, as voters participate in the first BARMM Parliamentary Elections on Monday, September 14, 2026. Hernel Tocmo
MANILA — The voter turnout for the first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has reached at least 80%, the Commission on Elections said on Tuesday, noting that it is “high” despite incidents.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the voter turnout may even reach 82%.
BARMM Elections: PPCRV unofficial parallel count
He said there had been attempts to dissuade voters by voting, including intimidation and telling voters to go home.
“Pinili ng mga kababayan natin na iparinig ang boses, lumabas,” he added.
(Our people chose to let their voice be heard and to go out and vote.)
Voting is ongoing in more than 30 precincts in Maluso, Basilan, where ballots had to be replaced because of tampering.
Bangsamoro vote transmission now at 98 percent — PPCRV
The spokesman shared that there were individuals who even returned to polling precincts to cast their votes after the violence subsided.
Laudiangco said the almost 39,000 checkpoints set up have been effective in securing the region.
He also noted that the personnel of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have helped in curbing election-related violence.
On election day, the Comelec and election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting received reports of shooting, explosions, and irregularities such as multiple voting and campaigning.
Despite these, the Comelec and PPCRV said the poll was “generally peaceful".
Malacanang said the Marcos administration considers the historic elections a success despite incidents of violence.
“Although hindi nanaisin ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon na ito na mayroon pong nangyayaring karahasan at ito naman po ang ipinag-uutos ng Pangulo na bantayan mabuti, protektahan ang ating mga kababayan sa mga ganitong klaseng insidente,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
“But nag-report na po ang PNP, according to PNP, generally peaceful and orderly po iyong naganap na eleksyon. So, sa pananaw po ng administrasyon ay naging maganda naman po ang naging eleksyon kahapon sa BARMM,” she said in a press briefing.
Quoting the PNP, she added that “all election paraphernalia have already been accounted for and returned.”
“So far, no other significant untoward incidents had been reported,” she said.
“Kahit isang tao lang po ang nasaktan hindi po ikasasaya ng Pangulo, kahit sabihin po natin generally peaceful and orderly iyong nangyaring eleksyon kahapon basta po mayroong kahit isa na nasaktan hindi po magiging maganda ang pakiramdam ninuman lalung-lalo na ng Pangulo,” Castro said.