COTABATO CITY (Jan. 16, 2025) – More than 3,000 youth leaders attended attended a voters’ education forum aiming to educate them on salient provisions of Bangsamoro Election Code (BEC) and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) and encourage their participation in the midterm elections in May this year.
The activity was implemented by the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) – Maguindanao with Cotabato City and Special Geographic Areas, in partnership with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Integrated Democracy and Development for Meaningful Progress, Inc. (IDDMP), and with support from Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of the Bangsamoro Parliament.
The forum, which was held on Wednesday, January 15, at Cotabato State University (CSU) in Cotabato City, is part of a series of campus tours aimed at educating and engaging the youth in the electoral process within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
BYC Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding emphasized the significance of preparing young voters for the upcoming parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the first of its kind in the country. He highlighted that youth participation is essential for shaping the region’s future.
“Our engagement and participation are vital not only for our own future but for the future of our communities as a whole, including the gains of the Bangsamoro Peace Process, na inalayan ng dugo, pawis at buhay ng ating mga mahal na Mujahideen.” Dunding said.
He highlighted that Bangsamoro people’s education, job opportunities, health services, and other aspects of their lives hinges on the decisions to be made during election, in which the youth have a big responsibility to make.
“It is vital to understand the Bangsamoro Electoral Code as it provides the framework that ensures the voices of the people are heard,” he added.
Key activities during the forum included a discussions of the BEC and its IRR by Atty. Jam Nagamora of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament, common election offenses and a demonstration of using the automated counting machine by COMELEC Election Officer Atty. Pai Paglala-Manduyog and Islamic perspective on elections by Sheikh Amry Edris.
The BEC aims to ensure fair, transparent, and inclusive elections that reflect the needs of BARMM’s communities. It was emphasized that youth engagement in the electoral process is crucial for sustaining peace and development in the region.
Members of Parliament (MP) Aida Silongan, Abdullah Hashim, and Jamel Macacua attended the event to express their support. The initiative underscores the importance of voter registration, good governance, and moral leadership.
The forum is part of the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) initiatives supported by various MPs. BYC plans to conduct similar forums in other universities across BARMM to encourage informed participation among young voters. (BYC PR Unit/AAA)
