Comelec to maintain gun ban in BARMM despite poll prep suspension

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will maintain the gun ban and other election-related prohibitions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), despite the suspension of poll preparations.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia warned that violators of the gun ban and other election laws in BARMM will face arrest and charges.

The suspension of preparations for the BARMM parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 13, was due to the Supreme Court's order stopping the implementation of Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 77, which pertains to redistricting.

However, civil society groups like the United Imams of the Philippines Foundation Inc. (UIPFI) and Ranao Charitable Initiatives (RCI) have urged the Comelec to resume preparations, citing confusion and the risk of disenfranchising voters.

These groups also requested that the Comelec proceed with the elections as scheduled on October 13.

A member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and the leader of the RCI have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to compel the Comelec to resume preparations.