JOINT STATEMENT
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
We extend our warmest congratulations to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament for the passage of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, on March 08, 2023.
The unanimous enactment of the Electoral Code with 64 affirmative votes, 0 negative votes, and 0 abstentions reflects the strong commitment and unity of the BTA to provide a law that would enable a peaceful and credible elections in 2025 and beyond.
The Electoral Code will allow democratic participation in the local and regional elections and will encourage the formation of genuinely principled political parties across the Bangsamoro, with guaranteed representations from women, youth, indigenous people, settler communities, traditional leaders, and the Ulama.
The Electoral Code also introduced other innovative provisions in the parliamentary electoral system with rules on changing political party affiliations, coalition-building, regional party funding, prosecution on election offenses such as vote-buying and vote-selling. It also prohibits the regional political party’s nomination of candidates related within the second degree of consanguinity and affinity. These underscore the Electoral Code as an embodiment of good and moral governance.
With the passage of the Electoral Code, the BTA has clearly demonstrated its commitment to sustain the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process and support the Marcos Administration’s peace and reconciliation agenda.
We thank the members of the BTA for paving the way for a more democratic Bangsamoro – one that reflects the unique identity of the region, one that aspires to unite people together and one that aims to turn the dreams of its constituents into reality.
Signed:
| AHOD BALAWAG EBRAHIM | CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR. | ISIDRO L. PURISIMA |
| Chief Minister | Senior Undersecretary | Secretary |
| BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO | OIC, DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE | ACTING PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON PEACE, RECONCILIATION AND UNITY
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