The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) are deploying a joint Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) for the 14 September 2026 First Regular Parliamentary Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines – the region’s first parliamentary elections since the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Building on their respective engagements in the BARMM, the TAM will focus on two main areas: inclusive political participation and peaceful conduct of the elections.

The mission will examine the structural and practical barriers to the participation of women, youth, Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs), persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other marginalized communities. It will also look into electoral and political violence, including conflict dynamics, security conditions, and other vulnerabilities.

The mission will analyze these priority themes alongside key issues in the pre-election, Election Day, and immediate post-election periods, including preparations for the elections, implementation of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC), the broader electoral and political climate through campaign and information environment, results management, electoral dispute resolution, and post-election security developments. On Election Day, short-term observers will monitor polling procedures, including voting, counting, and results transmission, to feed into its broader assessment. 

Coordinated from Cotabato City, observer teams will be deployed across all five BARMM provinces – Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi, and the Special Geographic Areas (SGA). 

Observation locations and stakeholder engagements are selected to reflect the diversity of the political and security context, electoral administration, implementation of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, accessibility, and the mission’s thematic priorities.

The joint mission will engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Bangsamoro institutions, national and local government agencies, political parties, candidates, civil society organizations, citizen election observers, security institutions, peace process actors, media practitioners, development partners, community representatives, and marginalized sectors to ensure that the assessment reflects diverse perspectives across the BARMM.

Evidence-based findings and actionable recommendations will aim to support electoral integrity, democratic governance, peacebuilding, and future electoral reforms in BARMM.

This mission will be conducted independently, impartially, and in accordance with internationally recognized principles for election observation and COMELEC accreditation guidelines for International Observers. 

About ANFREL

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), established in 1997, promotes democratic elections in Asia through election observation, capacity building, and advocacy efforts. With 26 member organizations across 18 countries, ANFREL supports civil society, media, and stakeholders in addressing electoral challenges and advancing democratization. Having conducted 86 international election observation missions, ANFREL remains committed to advancing democratic development and regional solidarity.

In the Philippines, ANFREL conducted missions in 2010, 2016, 2022, and ANFREL also deployed a mission to analyze voter participation, technical challenges, and the impact of disinformation. In 2025, ANFREL assessed the implementation of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs), internet voting, the Random Manual Audit, electoral inclusivity, and addressed key challenges such as electoral violence, disinformation, and the misuse of state resources.

ANFREL’s work in the Philippines contributes to its broader regional efforts to support credible, inclusive, peaceful, and transparent elections, while advancing evidence-based electoral reform recommendations.

About NDI

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is a nonprofit, non-partisan, nongovernmental organization that works in partnerships around the world to strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms, and values to secure a better quality of life for all. NDI envisions a world where democracy and freedom prevail, with dignity for all.  Over the past 40 years, NDI has conducted more than 250 election observation missions in 70 countries. 

In the BARMM, NDI has worked to strengthen political parties, broaden grassroots participation, and promote accountability in the use of state resources. Through its political party development programs, NDI engaged existing and emerging parties and community leaders, built capacity on cross-party dialogue and deepened understanding of democratic principles. NDI has also supported local women’s organizations in documenting voter registration issues and advocating for inclusive electoral reforms. In parallel, NDI has partnered with civil society organizations to monitor the abuse of state resources and advance the institutionalization of a civic monitoring framework within the BARMM parliament.

For more information, visit www.ndi.org.