Comelec releases schedule of activities for 2025 midterm, BARMM polls

The Commission on Elections on Wednesday released the calendar of activities for the May 12, 2025 midterm and BARMM parliamentary polls.

In a social media post, the Comelec said the last day of the Register Anywhere Program, and the local and overseas registration will be on August 31 and September 30, respectively.

The period to hold political conventions by political parties to select or nominate candidates is from September 1 to 28, while the filing of documents such as the Certificate of Candidacy and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance is set for October 1 to 8.

The election period and gun ban will be in effect from January 12 to June 11, 2025.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups will be from February 11 to March 10. The days set for campaigning exclude April 17 and 18, as the country observes Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for House of Representatives and parliamentary, provincial, city and municipal elections will be from March 28 to May 10.

The election day is on May 12, but overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12 while local absentee voters may cast their votes from April 28 to 30.

Candidates are prohibited from campaigning on May 11, and the liquor ban will be enforced until election day.

Candidates will be given until June 11 to file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures.

BARMM’s first parliamentary elections

The Comelec also disclosed the schedule of activities for the BARMM parliamentary polls.

2024

May 15 to June 7
-Period to file Petition for Registration or Accreditation of Regional Parliament Political Parties (RPPP)
-Period to file Petition for Registration or Accreditation of Regional Parliament Sectoral Organizations (RPSO)

August 15
-Last day to submit Sworn Information Update Statement by registered political parties to the Political Finance and Affairs Department
-Last day to file Petition for Registration or Accreditation of a Coalition in BARMM

August 29
-Last day to hold party conventions by duly registered RPPP for the purpose of selecting nominees for the Party Representatives in the Parliament

August 30
-Last day to file Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the Parliamentary Election of Party Representatives
-Last day to file Manifestation of Intent to Participate in the Parliamentary Sectoral Representation Syster of Party Representatives

2025

January 6 to February 14
-Period to conduct the first level of internal party elections for representatives in the NMIP, Traditional Leaders, and Ulama Sectors

February 15 to April 4
-Period to conduct assemblies for the election of representatives in the Women, Settler Communities, and Youth Sectors
-Period to conduct the second level of internal party elections for representatives in the NMIP, Traditional Leaders, and Ulama Sectors

The Bangsamoro government earlier urged more sectoral representatives to participate in the elections.  — Mariel Celine Serquiña/VBL, GMA Integrated News