MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) as the dominant majority and minority regional parliamentary political parties (RPPPs), respectively, for the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
In a resolution promulgated on Wednesday, the Comelec said there is a need to determine the dominant majority and minority RPPPs, which are entitled to the following:
- The printed sixth and seventh copies of the election returns, respectively;
- Election transmission of precinct results;
- Ex officio membership as non-voting members of the provincial, city, and municipal boards of canvassers; and
- One official watcher in every polling place and canvassing center.
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The poll body said the dominant majority and minority RPPPs are identified based on three criteria: the ability to field a slate of candidates and nominees, the number of municipal and city chapters established, and the number of women candidates and party nominees fielded.
For the first criterion, parties are awarded 20 points each for party representatives and district representatives, for a total of 40 points.
For the second criterion, the Comelec considers the number of municipal and city chapters established by the RPPP per province. It also evaluates the party’s strength and regional reach by measuring the proportion of its established municipal and city chapters relative to the total number of municipalities and cities in the Bangsamoro region.
For the third criterion, the Comelec considers the number of women candidates and party nominees fielded by the RPPP.
The Comelec ranked the 11 RPPPs that filed petitions for accreditation as dominant majority and minority RPPPs, as well as the 10 major RPPPs.
It also noted that since only 11 RPPPs filed petitions for accreditation, the following nine parties are considered major RPPPs qualified for accreditation:
- Bangsamoro Party
- Moro Ako Party
- Bangsamoro Empowerment and Social Transformation Party
- Mahardika Party
- Partido Bangon Bangsamoro
- BARMM Grand Coalition
- Indigenous Settlers, SAMA and Minorities Alliance Party
- People’s Consultative (MUSHAWARA) Party
- AL-ITTIHAD–Ungaya sa Kagawib Nu Bangsamoro
The poll body said the major RPPPs are entitled to the 11th to 19th copies of the election returns. Each major RPPP may also appoint one watcher in every polling place and canvassing center “if practicable.”
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It added that the issuance of the resolution is “without prejudice” to any petitions or cases filed against any RPPP, including petitions to cancel or revoke its accreditation.
“Should any action result in the cancellation, revocation, or other alteration of the registration, accreditation, or status of any party affected herein, the Commission may correspondingly adjust, suspend, revoke, or revise the accreditation and the entitlements, privileges, and preferences granted under this Resolution, without need of a separate resolution amending the same,” it added. /mcm
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