Manila - The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and SLASH.ph have signed a memorandum of agreement to establish the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) - BARMM & Sulu, headquartered in Cotabato City. The IEMC will monitor electoral activities, enhance security, prevent violence, and promote transparency and fairness in the May 2025 elections.

READ: IEMC-BARMM & Sulu Launched to Safeguard Transparency and Security in 2025 Elections

SLASH.ph, a 100% Filipino-owned technology outsourcing company based in Manila with globally competitive software development expertise, will contribute to the IEMC's Incident Management System free of charge. This system will support incident reporting through voice, SMS, and email, leveraging SLASH.ph's experience in providing end-to-end, cost-effective open-source solutions to organizations worldwide.

The Incident Management System will monitor election-related violence and irregularities throughout the campaign period, on election day, and post-election, focusing on the Bangsamoro region, including Sulu. Verified incident reports will be communicated in real-time to the IEMC by its seven partner organizations, enabling immediate action by law enforcement agencies.

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 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).

The partnership between IAG and SLASH.ph is a significant step towards ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process in BARMM and Sulu. The IEMC's Incident Management System is expected to enhance transparency and accountability, contributing to the region's stability and development.