Voter education drive in BARMM launched

NON-PARTISAN coalition Participate has launched a civic and voter education campaign in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to empower first-time voters and marginalized sectors in the region. In a statement on Tuesday, Participate, a consortium of organizations composed of the Ateneo School of Government, La Salle Institute of Governance, National Citizens Movement for Free Elections, and Caucus of Development NGO Networks (Code-NGO), launched the "Boto Mo Bangsamoro" voters' campaign. It added that the campaign aims to enhance understanding of the parliamentary system, representation and electoral processes outlined in the Bangsamoro Electoral Code implementing rules and regulations. The campaign will leverage various channels, including social media, local TV and radio stations, and print materials across the region to maximize reach and accessibility. It would also be carried out in local dialects to ensure that culturally inclusive messaging will resonate with the people of BARMM. The materials will go through rigorous development and vetting under the review of the consortium and will run from September 2024 to May 2025. Boto Mo Bangsamoro is among Participate's projects focused on BARMM and the upcoming parliamentary elections, with other projects such as the Academy of Multiparty Democracy-BARMM, Dialogues with BARMM-Based Civil Society Organizations and media, and upcoming training for women leaders also geared toward the preparation of the region for their first-ever election.