Davao City, Philippines — July 3, 2025 -- The Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) reconvened today at the Acacia Hotel in Davao City to assess its operations during the May 2025 national and local elections and to lay the groundwork for the upcoming October parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

 

The gathering brought together partner election monitors, civil society leaders, media, and regional stakeholders from across BARMM, including representatives from Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, the Special Geographic Area (SGA), and the Maguindanao provinces.

 

The IEMC is a collaborative initiative led by several organizations, including:

  • Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG)
  • National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL)
  • Notre Dame University (NDU)
  • Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC)
  • Climate and Conflict Action Asia (CCAA)
  • Coalition for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT)
  • Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)
  • Notre Dame of Midsayap College

 

The discussions opened with a message from Atty. Benedicto R. Bacani, Executive Director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), who emphasized the importance of sustained citizen engagement in safeguarding electoral integrity.

 

The convenors reviewed the IEMC’s field operations during the May 12 elections, which saw over a 77 percent voter turnout in BARMM, just slightly below the 82 percent national voter turnout. The assessment highlighted both successes and persistent challenges, including logistical delays, vote-buying incidents, and the intimidation of poll watchers in conflict-prone areas. Despite these hurdles, the IEMC noted the resilience of communities who turned out to vote amid threats and disinformation campaigns.

 

The morning session focused on evaluating the IEMC’s internal systems—reporting mechanisms, coordination tools, and rapid response protocols. Field teams shared insights on how real-time communication and local partnerships helped mitigate disruptions, particularly in remote and high-risk areas.

 

Looking Ahead to October 13

 

In the afternoon, attention turned to the historic October 13 parliamentary elections in BARMM—the first of their kind since the region’s transition to a parliamentary form of government. IEMC committed to expanding its monitoring footprint and deepening collaboration with local partners to ensure transparency and security throughout the election period.

 

The meeting concluded with the finalization of IEMC’s action plan, including timelines for activities and public engagement campaign. The convenors reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding democratic values in a region where electoral processes remain deeply intertwined with peacebuilding and autonomy.

 

The IEMC is officially recognized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as an election monitor for the upcoming BARMM Parliamentary Elections.