DAVAO CITY – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Tuesday, Dec. 9, doubts that the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will be held on March 30 due to unresolved issues on redistricting.

In a statement, MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said that holding the elections on March 30 is legally impossible due to the delays of passing the districting law.

Ebrahim welcomed the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) issuance of Resolution No. 11181 two weeks ago but he clarified that “existing laws and jurisprudence, including the aforecited cases, categorically prohibit, mandatorily and without exceptions, the alteration of any territory comprising an election precinct, or the creation of new precincts 120 days before election day.”

“Hence, it is legally impossible to realize the election by 30 March 2026,” Ebrahim added.

The MILF chairman issued the statement after the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) failed to meet the Nov. 30 deadline to pass a new districting law to enable the twice-postponed parliamentary elections to be held “not later than March 31, 2026.”

Five bills have been filed to apportion the 32 Bangsamoro districts in the BARMM’s six provinces, three cities, and the special geographic area after the Supreme Court ruled that the previous districting laws – Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 58 and 77 – are unconstitutional.

The ruling automatically postpones the elections, which was originally set last Oct. 13.

Ebrahim urged the BTA to immediately pass a sound, fair, and constitutionally compliant districting law without delay.

“Timely action will demonstrate a commitment to the welfare of the Bangsamoro constituents and to building a more unified and empowered society. This will likewise send a convincing signal to the Houses of Congress to enact a law setting the date of the first parliamentary election in the BARMM at the earliest possible time, and hopefully, still within 2026,” he said.

The MILF, he added, is ready to cooperate with the Comelec, the Bangsamoro government, and all stakeholders in aiming for a successful parliamentary election in 2026.

“We manifest our relentless support in facilitating democratic governance in the BARMM, strengthening institutions, and reinforcing the rule of law in the region,” said Ebrahim, who once led the BARMM since its inception in 2019.