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Japanese gov’t to send observers in BARMM for 2025 polls – Comelec chief

Japanese gov’t to send observers in BARMM for 2025 polls – Comelec chief

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Comelec
The Commission on Elections receives the ICT equipment donation of the Japanese government, through the United Nations Development Programme, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. —Photo from the Office of Comelec chair



MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese government will be sending a team to observe the conduct of the 2025 elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair George Erwin Garcia.

Garcia said that the initiative will be regarded as an “independent mission” for the purpose of observing the elections.

“The Japanese government has expressed its highest interest in monitoring and be an observer in the Bangsamoro during the conduct of the elections. In fact, they told the chairman that they will be sending a group of observer mission of Japan to the Bangsamoro,” Garcia told reporters in an interview.

READ: What to know about first-ever Bangsamoro Parliament elections

Originally scheduled on May 12, 2025 but was postponed to October 13, 2025, the BARMM will be holding its first Parliamentary elections. However, the national and local elections will still be held in the region in May.

Garcia also said that the Japanese government, through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducted a study in the region.

“It was a big help for us, especially in voter’s education and modernization of elections in Bangsamoro. They will submit the study to us to help us in crafting policies,” Garcia added in Filipino.

READ: BARMM voters unaware of region’s polling system — study

A June 2024 study showed that the majority of potential electorates in the region lack awareness of the system of its first Parliamentary polls, highlighting the gaps in voter education.

Aside from the conduct of a study for enrichment of voter education and modernization of elections in the region, the Japanese government, through the UNDP also donated ICT equipment to the poll body.

Garcia said that the satellite communications unit, or Starlink, and transmission devices will be deployed to Comelec offices that struggle with internet connectivity to enhance communication and coordination. He also clarified that the materials will not be used in the upcoming elections.

‘Keen’ on monitoring first online voting


Garcia also shared that the Japanese government expressed “strongest desire” to monitor and observe the conduct of the country’s first online voting to assess if it would be effective.

“They said that even when they are number one when it comes to technological advancement, especially in Asia, they are so very keen in observing how the internet voting will be implemented by Comelec. Because for them, they haven’t implemented internet voting,” Garcia said.

The poll body earlier reported that around 1.3 million overseas Filipinos registered to vote for the 2025 elections. However, it also reminded them that they must register for pre-enrollment to secure their voting access before they can cast their votes.

Seventy-seven posts worldwide will offer an online voting option while 17 posts will use automated counting machines.



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AFP-JIJI PRESS NEWS JOURNAL


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