‍COTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua called on voters to keep the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections peaceful and orderly as the region prepares for the historic polls on Monday, September 14.

Macacua said the elections represent another milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process, as voters choose representatives who will form the region’s first elected Parliament.

“This is more than just electing leaders, but it is proof of how far we have progressed in the peace process,” Macacua said in a video message Sunday.

He urged voters and candidates to respect differing political choices and avoid actions that could trigger conflict among communities.

Macacua also appealed against mudslinging, dirty politics and the spread of misleading or inflammatory information that could revive tensions and distrust among the Bangsamoro people, the national government and other Filipinos.

Macacua himself is seeking a parliamentary seat representing the Fifth District of Maguindanao del Norte.

The September 14 polls mark BARMM’s first regular parliamentary elections, with around 2.3 million registered voters expected to participate across the autonomous region. Voters will help determine the composition of the Bangsamoro Parliament under the region’s parliamentary system of government.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections said more than 800 public school teachers assigned as Electoral Board members have withdrawn from election duty.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said most of the teachers who backed out are related to candidates.

In Cotabato City alone, 137 teachers failed to appear during the final testing and sealing of automated counting machines on Saturday. Other withdrawals were recorded in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Tawi-Tawi and the BARMM Special Geographic Area.

Police personnel trained to perform election duties will take the place of teachers who withdrew. Comelec earlier said replacement police officers had been prepared and trained, including certification related to the operation of automated counting machines.

Garcia assured the public that the poll body had anticipated possible withdrawals and has prepared replacement personnel to prevent disruptions on Election Day.

September 14 has also been declared a special non-working day across BARMM to allow residents to participate in the elections.

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