In a significant step towards ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, the Independent Elections Monitoring Center (IEMC)-BARMM & Sulu has been officially launched. This multi-stakeholder initiative is poised to play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the upcoming 2025 Philippine National and Local Elections (NLE) on May 12, 2025, and the historic inaugural Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on October 13, 2025.

The IEMC-BARMM & Sulu is a collaborative effort uniting the expertise and resources of key organizations dedicated to good governance and democratic processes. This powerful alliance includes the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Notre Dame University (NDU), Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) Cotabato City, Climate and Conflict Action Asia (CCAA), and the Coalition for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT).

Recognizing the unique electoral challenges faced by BARMM and Sulu Province, including election-related violence, vote-buying, fraud, voter suppression, and logistical complexities, the establishment of the IEMC-BARMM & Sulu is deemed critical. The center will serve as a vital hub for monitoring and addressing these potential issues, with the overarching goals of enhancing election security, facilitating real-time reporting of election results, and ensuring seamless coordination among all relevant electoral stakeholders.

“The establishment of the IEMC-BARMM & Sulu is a significant and strategic multi-stakeholder contribution to BARMM's democratic transition,” stated the IAG, a key partner in the initiative. “Through IEMC-BARMM & Sulu, we are in step together with the rest of the electoral stakeholders towards fostering a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive electoral process for the Bangsamoro people.”

To achieve its objectives, the IEMC-BARMM & Sulu will operate based on established principles of Incident Management and Incident Command Systems. This structured approach will ensure clear communication channels, effective decision-making protocols, and the efficient deployment of resources to address any election-related incidents.

The IEMC-BARMM & Sulu is dedicated to working collaboratively with all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the media, to ensure a successful and peaceful electoral process in 2025.