Election monitoring body warns that restricting organizations to a single candidate will undermine geographic representation of settler communities in island provinces

Cotabato City — The Independent Election Monitoring Center–BARMM (IEMC) has formally called on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to reconsider its current rule limiting accredited sectoral organizations and political party wings to only one nominee for the Settler Communities Sector in the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.

In a letter addressed to COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia, IEMC Convenor Atty. Benedicto Bacani emphasized that such a limitation contradicts the spirit and intent of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which allocates two reserved seats for the Settler Communities Sector in the Bangsamoro Parliament.

IEMC argued that organizations should therefore be permitted to nominate two candidates, ensuring that the allocation of seats translates into meaningful and equitable representation. The group noted that earlier guidance from COMELEC had allowed for two nominees per organization, but a subsequent resolution reversed this position, creating confusion and raising legal concerns.

According to IEMC, the reversal has effectively disenfranchised second nominees whose names were initially expected to appear on the official ballot. The organization stressed that the interpretation of Section 9 of Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BAA No. 88)—which limits organizations to one nominee—should apply only to sectors with a single reserved seat, not to the Settler Communities Sector which is entitled to two.

The group further warned that restricting nominations to one candidate per organization could undermine geographic representation within the sector. In particular, it may lead to candidates being concentrated in more vote-rich mainland provinces, leaving settler communities in island provinces underrepresented.

“IEMC respectfully urges the Commission to align its rules with the law and the intent of sectoral representation,” Bacani said in the letter. “Allowing two nominees per organization will promote broader and more inclusive representation of settler communities across the Bangsamoro region.”

The IEMC expressed confidence in COMELEC’s commitment to uphold the rule of law, ensure clarity in electoral processes, and protect the integrity of sectoral representation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The IEMC is a nonpartisan, civil society–led initiative that monitors electoral processes in the Bangsamoro region to promote transparency, accountability, and public confidence in democratic institutions. It provides evidence‑based analysis and engages with stakeholders to help ensure that elections in the Bangsamoro are peaceful, credible, and reflective of the will of the people.