Manila – The first ever election for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has produced a clear lead for parties descended from the former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Official results released by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Wednesday show an 84% voter turnout among roughly 2.4 million registered voters.
Party‑list results
The Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), headed by transitional Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, topped the party‑list vote with just under 36% of the ballots, earning 16 of the 80 seats in the regional parliament. Close behind, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), led by Moro Front chairman and former interim chief minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, captured more than 32% of the vote and secured 15 seats.
While the party‑list totals are known, COMELEC has not yet released the party affiliations of the district winners, though the BFP is believed to have added several more seats in those contests.
Implications for regional leadership
The newly elected members of parliament will be sworn in on Oct. 30. At that time they will elect the region’s chief minister, a position that also heads the executive department. A simple majority of 41 votes is required to choose the chief minister.
Murad, speaking on his Facebook page, framed the election as a new chapter for the region: “We begin a new chapter towards a government with stronger leadership, true service, and focused on every community and village in our homeland.” He added that the outcome reflects a long struggle now being realized through democratic means.
Background of the autonomous region
BARMM was created under a 2014 peace agreement that replaced an older, less funded autonomous area. In exchange for laying down arms, the former rebel groups received promises of autonomy, demobilization of roughly 40,000 fighters, and livelihood assistance. The region, which encompasses five provinces, three cities, and 63 villages, has historically suffered from violence and underdevelopment. Since the 1970s, an estimated 150,000 combatants and civilians have died in the southern Philippines.
Militant activity, including al‑Qaida and Islamic State affiliates, once made Mindanao a security hotspot. A U.S.–backed Philippine offensive in 2017, culminating in the five‑month siege of Marawi, significantly weakened those groups.
Looking ahead
The election marks a major step toward self‑rule and stability in a region long plagued by conflict. As the new parliament convenes, the focus will shift to delivering on promises of development, security, and good governance for the people of Bangsamoro.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
