Paulina Chavez
Press Secretary
[email protected]
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed a joint Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) on July 20, ahead of the First Regular Parliamentary Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the Philippines on September 14, 2026. The elections mark a significant milestone as the region’s first parliamentary elections since the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Building on both organizations’ longstanding engagement in the BARMM, the mission is focusing on two main areas: political participation and security in the elections. The mission is examining the structural and practical barriers to the participation of women, youth, Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs), persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other marginalized communities. It is also assessing electoral and political violence, including conflict dynamics, security conditions, and other vulnerabilities.
In addition, the mission is focusing on key aspects of the electoral process before, during, and immediately after election day, including preparations for the elections, implementation of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC), the broader electoral and political environment, results management, electoral dispute resolution, and post-election security developments.
Coordinated from Cotabato City, long-term observer teams have been deployed across all five BARMM provinces – Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi, as well as the Special Geographic Areas (SGA). On election day, observers will monitor polling procedures, including voting, counting, and results transmission, as part of the mission’s broader assessment.
The joint mission will engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Bangsamoro institutions, national and local government agencies, political parties, candidates, civil society organizations, citizen election observers, security institutions, peace process actors, media practitioners, development partners, community representatives, and marginalized sectors to ensure that the assessment reflects diverse perspectives across the BARMM.
Following the elections, the mission will present its findings and actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening electoral integrity, democratic governance, peacebuilding, and future electoral reforms in the BARMM.
The joint ANFREL-NDI mission is being conducted independently and impartially, and in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and COMELEC accreditation guidelines for International Observers.
This initiative is made possible with the generous support of the National Endowment for Democracy.
About ANFREL
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), established in 1997, promotes democratic elections in Asia through election observation, capacity building, and advocacy efforts. With 26 member organizations across 18 countries, ANFREL supports civil society, media, and stakeholders in addressing electoral challenges and advancing democratization. Having conducted 86 international election observation missions, ANFREL remains committed to advancing democratic development and regional solidarity.
About NDI
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that believes in a world rooted in freedom—where people have a say in how they are governed and leaders are accountable to their people—fosters more stability, security and prosperity for everyone. NDI envisions a world where democracy and freedom prevail, with dignity for all. Over the past 40 years, NDI has conducted more than 250 election observation missions in more than 50 countries.
For media inquiries, please contact:
- NDI: Paulina Chavez Alonzo, [email protected]
