Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) first vice chairperson Mohagher Iqbal has called on governors, mayors, and other local chief executives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to ensure that voters can freely participate in the upcoming Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) scheduled for September 14.

Speaking in Cotabato City, Iqbal emphasized that the historic elections should reflect genuine democratic choice and urged local leaders to remain neutral throughout the electoral process.

He stressed that the MILF is not asking officials to support the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) or any other political group, but rather to respect the right of the electorate to decide without pressure or interference.

Iqbal described the upcoming elections as historic, symbolic, and emotional, noting that it represents the culmination of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), signed in 2014 after nearly two decades of peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF.

The agreement paved the way for the creation of the BARMM in 2019, which is now transitioning toward its first elected parliamentary government after several postponements since 2022.

The BARMM is composed of provinces including Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi, as well as cities such as Cotabato, Marawi, and Lamitan.It has over 100 municipalities and a voter base of around 2.3 million registered voters across more than 100 local jurisdictions.

Iqbal underscored that the elections will be a key test for both local governance and the national government, highlighting the importance of peaceful, credible, and transparent polling as the region transitions from an interim setup to a fully elected parliamentary system.