Manila Journalist

I am mapping the results of the historic first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) since its establishment in 2019. It is the country’s first parliamentary election, with 80 party, district, and sectoral seats up for grabs on Monday, September 14.

Vote-rich Lanao Del Sur province has the power to decide up to 21 seats or one-fourth of the total. It has 9 district seats and a voting population that can elect up to 12 party representatives.

The two Maguindanao provinces are also key. Maguindanao Del Sur has 8 district seats and a voting population that can elect up to 5 party representatives. Maguindanao Del Norte has 7 district seats and a voting population that can elect up to 5 party representatives.

Thirteen political parties were initially accredited to participate in the elections. Moro Ako was later disqualified, but it is appealing the the ruling.

United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the former rebel group that negotiated the creation of the BARMM and led the transition government over the last seven years, is also running to keep control of the autonomous government.

Meanwhile, the political parties of the region’s entrenched political dynasties merged under the Bangsamoro Grand Coalition (BGC). Its top nominee, Mamintal Raki-in Adiong lll, is the son of Lanao Del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr.

One party, the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), has secured at least two seats even before the elections on Monday. Its candidates Ibrahim Ibay and Cocoy Mastura are running uncontested in Maguindanao Del Norte’s 2nd District and 5th District, respectively.