Comelec to retain 15% ballot threshold for Bangsamoro polls
Poll chief George Erwin Garcia on Monday said the threshold will remain effective as he reiterated the first-ever parliamentary polls is a continuation of the 2025 national and elections (NLE).
'Hindi tamang baguhin ang threshold sapagkat yun ang nasimulan namin sa 2025 NLE,' Garcia said.
(It is not right to change the threshold because we already implemented that.)
'Sabi sa batas ang BARMM elections ay continuation ng national and local elections so hinid kami dapat magbago ng mga ibang sinagawa namin sa 2025 NLE,' he added.
(The law states the BARMM polls is a continuation of the national and local elections so we wont change other policies.)
In October 2024, the poll body en banc approved a proposal to lower the valid ballot shading threshold to 15% for the 2025 May polls — the lowest threshold since the 20% set for the 2010 elections.
Garcia said the preparations of the Comelec for the Bangsamoro elections are in 'full blast'. He said the Comelec en banc has already approved the ballot faces for the Bangsamoro polls.
At least 7,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) will be used for the elections and instead of telecommunication units, Starlink devices will be distributed to polling precincts for vote transmission.
Comelec control
Meanwhile, Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said the poll body is eyeing to lift control over Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte for the 2025 Bangsamoro elections.
'We're considering the lifting of the two municipalities under the Comelec control kasi di masyadong mainit ang elections doon at kokonti lang naman ang positions at stake,' said Ferolino.
'There is a great possibility that the declaration of the areas under Comelec control will be lifted for the upcoming polls,' she said.
Ferolino, chairperson of the Comelec Gun Ban and Security Concerns Committee, said the poll body is continuing its security preparations for the polls. This includes requesting more personnel from the Afrmed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
'If we have secured the previous elections well, there is no reason we can't secure more the BARMM elections kasi mas nakatutok tayo. Mas maraming pwersa ang AFP at PNP at kasama natin ang PCG sa elections sa BARMM,' she added.
Ferolino reminded the public of the start of the election period and the implementation of gun ban from August 14, 2025, to October 28, 2025. — BM, GMA Integrated News
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