Manila: On the eve of the landmark Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), the interim Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Abdulraof Macacua, urged voters to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully and orderly. "This is more than just electing leaders, but it is proof of how far we have progressed in the peace process," Macacua stated in a video message aired on Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Macacua emphasized that the elections mark a significant step forward in BARMM's journey toward peace. He called for mutual respect among the electorate, urging them to prevent differences from causing community conflicts. Macacua also advised candidates and voters to refrain from engaging in mudslinging and dirty politics. "Let us also be responsible with the words we use and the stories we spread," he cautioned, emphasizing the importance of not reopening past wounds or reviving old suspicions among the Bangsamoro, the national government, and fellow Filipinos.

Macacua, who is also running for a parliamentary seat representing Maguindanao del Norte's Fifth district, highlighted the shared aspiration for a better future through responsible voting, regardless of differing choices. He reassured that, irrespective of the election outcomes, the collective efforts to build the Bangsamoro will continue.

In a related development, over 800 public school teachers, initially designated as electoral board (EB) members, have withdrawn from their poll duties, as revealed by Commission on Elections Chairperson George Garcia during an interview on Sunday. The majority of these teachers are reportedly related to candidates, which prompted their withdrawal.

Garcia explained that to fill the vacated positions, police officers trained by the Department of Science and Technology have stepped in as EB members. "We have anticipated this so we are prepared," he said. In Cotabato City alone, 137 teachers were absent during the final testing and sealing of automated counting machines on Saturday. Additional withdrawals were reported from Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Tawi-Tawi, and the BARMM Special Geographic Area.