Comelec worried BTA redistricting law delay may jeopardize Bangsamoro elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is concerned that delays in passing a redistricting law by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) could jeopardize the inaugural Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia stated that the BTA missed its November 30 deadline for the law's passage, causing the commission to be in a quandary about proceeding with the elections.

The poll body will ask the House of Representatives to set a fixed date for the conduct of the first-ever BARMM parliamentary elections.

This is because the Supreme Court's March 31 deadline is just over three months away.

Garcia mentioned that Republic Act (RA) 12123 postponed the BARMM elections from May 12 to Oct. 13, and the SC moved the elections from Oct. 13 to March 31.

He added that the law needs amendment to fix the date of the Bangsamoro elections.

The Comelec is worried over the continued failure of the BTA to pass a new BARMM districting law despite the October 31 deadline set by the high tribunal.