An educational campaign for voters has started at BARMM

The non-partisan Participate coalition has launched a citizen and voter education campaign in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to empower first-time voters and marginalized groups in the region.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Participate, a consortium of organizations consisting of the Ateneo School of Government, La Salle Institute of Management, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections and the Caucus of Development Network of Non-Governmental Organizations (Code-NGOs), launched the “Boto Mo Bangsamoro” election campaign.

It added that the campaign aims to increase understanding of the parliamentary system, representation and electoral processes as outlined in the implementing rules and regulations of the Bangsamoro Election Code.

The campaign will utilise a variety of channels including social media, local TV and radio stations and print materials across the region to maximise reach and accessibility.

It will also be conducted in local dialects to ensure that the culturally diverse message reaches the residents of BARMM.

The materials will undergo a rigorous development and validation process under the consortium’s supervision. Work will be carried out from September 2024 to May 2025.

Boto Mo Bangsamoro is one of Participate’s projects focused on the BARMM and the upcoming general elections. Other projects, such as the BARMM-Multiparty Democracy Academy, dialogues with BARMM-based civil society organizations and media, and upcoming training for women leaders, also aim to prepare the region for its first elections.