The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has begun preparations for the first-ever Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) after the date was set for Sept. 14.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia thanked Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Congress for swiftly enacting the law fixing the election date.

“We thank our Honorable President and Congress for their swift action, immediately signing the fixing of the date of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections on Sept 14,” Garcia said in an interview.

“All preparations by Comelec will begin once we fixed the date.”

He said the poll body is drafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations and the calendar of activities.

“But we are currently drafting our Implementing Rules and Regulations, and at the same time, we are trying to fix the Calendar of Activities. Hopefully, after the Holy Week, we will be able to start the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) in all 32 districts of Bangsamoro,” Garcia said.

“And at the same time, the accreditation of regional political parties, including sectoral organizations that will participate in the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election, is ongoing.”

He said the COC filing is targeted for April, while accreditation of parties and groups will run from April to May.

“At all costs, we must finish the accreditation process because we need to have a list before the month of June begins,” he said.

Garcia said the Comelec plans to finalize precincts in June and begin printing ballots for 3.4 million to 3.5 million voters in July. (PNA)