BANGKOK, Thailand – The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) will deploy a joint technical assessment mission (TAM) for the upcoming 14 September 2026 First Regular Parliamentary Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Building on their respective long-term engagements in the BARMM, ANFREL and NDI have mobilized this joint mission to analyze the electoral environment, support democratic governance, and promote credible, inclusive, and peaceful electoral processes.
The mission’s assessment will center on two primary thematic areas: inclusive political participation and the peaceful conduct of elections.
The TAM will observe the entire electoral cycle, including the pre-election period, Election Day, and the immediate post-election phase. Observers will monitor key processes such as the implementation of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC), the political and information environment, results management, and electoral dispute resolution.
Coordinated from Cotabato City, observer teams will be deployed across all five BARMM provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi, and the Special Geographic Areas (SGA).
The mission team is set to be deployed starting July 20, 2026, where they will engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Bangsamoro institutions, government agencies, political parties, civil society organizations, security institutions, peace process actors, and the media.
“The mission will be conducted independently, impartially, and in accordance with internationally recognized principles for election observation and COMELEC accreditation guidelines for International Observers,” ANFREL stated in their mission briefer.
The ultimate goal of the mission is to provide evidence-based findings and actionable recommendations that contribute to the continued implementation of the Bangsamoro peace process by strengthening electoral integrity, promoting democratic governance, and informing future electoral reforms in the region.
