COTABATO CITY, BARMM – A coalition of civil society organizations and institutions launched the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Sulu on May 5. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in Cotabato City.

The IEMC-BARMM & Sulu will monitor two upcoming elections: the 2025 Philippine National and Local Elections on May 12 and the first BARMM Parliamentary Elections on October 13. The center will track election-related incidents and coordinate responses with law enforcement and election authorities.
 
The initiative is a collaboration among several organizations, including 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).
 
BARMM and Sulu face challenges such as election-related violence, vote-buying, fraud, voter suppression, and logistical difficulties. The IEMC aims to enhance election security, provide real-time reporting, and ensure coordination among stakeholders.
 
A key feature of the center is its Incident Management System, which will track election-related violence and irregularities. Reports from partner organizations will be relayed in real-time to facilitate swift responses from authorities.
 
The system is developed by SLASH.ph, a Manila-based technology outsourcing company specializing in open-source solutions. It enables incident reporting through voice, SMS, and email, ensuring efficient monitoring and response.