Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Voting Begins in Bangsamoro After Deadly Election Violence
People in the southern Philippines began voting for a new regional parliament.
The election happened after violence killed three people and injured 15 others.
Officials increased security with checkpoints and more security forces.
Voting was reported to be going smoothly in most of the region.
Some voting in Basilan was delayed because officials found ballots that had already been partly marked.
Nearly 2.4 million people are registered to vote.
The election is part of a peace agreement between the Philippine government and Muslim separatists.
The agreement gave the region more control over its own government.
Leaders and peace monitors see the election as an important test of whether the peace plan will work.
Voting began across the Bangsamoro region after three people were killed and 15 wounded before the election.
The Commission on Elections placed Cotabato City under its control after violence reportedly erupted during an argument at a polling station.
Nearly 2.4 million voters are registered to elect an 80-member regional parliament.
Voting was delayed in a Basilan municipality after officials found pre-shaded ballots that needed reprinting.
The election tests whether autonomy granted through the 2014 peace agreement can support lasting peace and democratic governance.
- Who
- Nearly 2.4 million registered voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are choosing regional lawmakers, with parties linked to former Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, rival factions and political clans competing.
- What
- A regional parliamentary election began after election-related violence killed three people and wounded 15 others.
- When
- Voting began on Monday, September 14, after violence on Sunday.
- Where
- The election is taking place across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the southern Philippines, including Cotabato City and Basilan province.
- Why
- The vote is intended to complete a transition to elected regional institutions under a peace agreement and test whether autonomy can support lasting peace and development.
Autonomy and Peacebuilding
Security and Political Competition
Meaning of the election
Autonomy and Peacebuilding
The election is presented by the Philippine government and peace monitors as a milestone for lasting peace, democratic governance and regional self-determination.
Security and Political Competition
The deaths, injuries and heightened security show that violence and instability remain concerns during the transition.
Political leadership
Autonomy and Peacebuilding
Parties led by former Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels are competing to govern through institutions created by the peace agreement.
Security and Political Competition
Rival factions and traditional political clans are also competing, creating a contest among different sources of political power.
- Registered voters
- Nearly 2.4 million
- Parliament size
- 80 members
- Election violence
- Three killed and 15 wounded
- Regional authority
- The Commission on Elections placed Cotabato City under its control
- Ballot issue
- Pre-shaded ballots delayed voting in a Basilan municipality
- Peace agreement
- The election follows a 2014 agreement between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
- Regional system
- Bangsamoro is the Philippines’ only region governed under a parliamentary system