Voter Registration Surges in Bangsamoro Region
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) has seen a significant influx of nearly 40,000 applicants for voter registration. This surge highlights growing civic engagement in the region as the registration period continues.
Regional Breakdown of Applicants
From February 9 to March 2, 2026, a total of 38,941 individuals have registered to vote across Barmm. Maguindanao del Norte leads with the highest number of applicants at 9,368, followed closely by Lanao del Sur with 8,046 and Basilan with 6,026. Other areas show strong participation as well, with Maguindanao del Sur recording 5,540 applicants, Tawi-Tawi at 4,983, and the Special Geographic Area at 4,978.
Registration Timeline and Special Initiatives
The voter registration period in Barmm opened on February 9 and is scheduled to run until March 31, 2026, providing ample opportunity for more residents to enroll. In a parallel development, the Comelec is organizing a special voter registration activity exclusively for women on March 9 at the Palacio Del Gobernador Building in Intramuros, Manila. This event, part of the National Women's Month observance, will be facilitated by the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) and held at the Comelec's main office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Chairman's Hall on the ground floor.
National Context and Impact
According to Comelec, this special drive aims to boost female voter participation, with a social media post stating, "We will hold a voter registration drive exclusively for women, to be facilitated by the women of Comelec." Nationwide, ongoing registration activities have already attracted 1,374,989 female applicants, underscoring the importance of such targeted efforts. The combined data from Barmm and the national level reflects a robust push towards inclusive electoral processes as the 2026 elections approach.
