Police and military forces have completed their security preparations for the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which are scheduled on September 14.According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the printing of approximately 2.

3 million ballots has already been completed for voters in Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Lamitan, Marawi, and Cotabato.

Officials from the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) and the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command confirmed that their units are fully prepared to support Comelec in ensuring peaceful, orderly, and credible elections throughout the region.

As part of long-term security efforts, police, local government officials, and Muslim religious leaders have successfully resolved 39 clan feuds over the past two years, reducing the risk of election-related violence.

The Army's 6th Infantry Division also assured that its personnel are ready to secure polling centers in Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Cotabato City under Comelec supervision.

Meanwhile, Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza said the provincial government and local mayors will coordinate with election authorities and security forces to help maintain peace in the eight newly created municipalities within the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area, despite these areas being geographically located inside Region 12.Comelec reportedly spent around P63 million to print the ballots.

Despite these preparations, at least 27 areas across BARMM remain under the Comelec's 'red' category due to a history of election-related violence, prompting authorities to maintain heightened security measures before and during the polls.