Bangsamoro region to hold first parliamentary elections in September 2026

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set to hold its first regular parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026. The vote follows several postponements intended to allow for better institution-building and governance transitions.

The election will determine the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, consisting of 40 party representatives, 32 district representatives, and eight sectoral representatives. To ensure diverse participation, the electoral framework includes provisions for gender and age representation. Specifically, regional parliamentary political parties are required to ensure that at least 30 percent of their nominees are women.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noted that the elections are a vital component of a peace process spanning decades, signaling a shift from armed struggle to political engagement. The legislative body being formed was established under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, a product of long-term negotiations aimed at regional self-governance.