Lanao del Sur parliamentary aspirants sign peace covenant

COTABATO CITY – Aspirants for the historic Bangsamoro parliamentary elections in Lanao del Sur have sworn before the Holy Quran to work for a peaceful, orderly, and credible September 14 elections.

Candidates in Lanao del Sur, which comprises nine single parliamentary districts, signed a peace covenant in Marawi City on Monday for the conduct of a credible election in the province.

Col. Caezar Cabuhat, Lanao del Sur police provincial director, said the candidates and other election stakeholders also conducted a unity walk, interfaith rally and peace caravan, and candidates’ forum in line with efforts to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process in Lanao del Sur.

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The province is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which will hold its first parliamentary elections on September 14. Up for grabs are 40 seats in the party system, 32 seats for single parliamentary districts, and eight seats for sectoral representatives. BARMM also comprises Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi.

Brig Gen. Christopher Abecia, BARMM police regional director, military and police personnel, election officials, and other government agencies joined Monday’s activity in Marawi City.

Cabuhat said the activity also brought together parliamentary candidates, political party representatives, religious and interfaith leaders.

“Our candidates took a solemn oath before the Holy Quran, committing to peaceful and principled participation, respect for fellow candidates and the electorate, and peaceful acceptance of the election results,” Cabuhat said.

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Lanao del Sur has the highest identified areas of concern in next month’s regional balloting, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

READ: BARMM voters, bets urged to shun dirty poll practices

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The poll body said that as of July 29, there were 26 areas under the red category across the region, including 21 in Lanao del Sur, two in Maguindanao del Sur, and one each in Basilan, Maguindanao del Norte and the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area./coa