The first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) concluded without any single political party securing an absolute majority, resulting in a hung parliament and the start of coalition negotiations. The vote, held on September 14, 2026, was the region's inaugural regular parliamentary election since the BARMM was established in 2019.
According to official results from the Bangsamoro Electoral Office, no party crossed the 41-seat threshold required for an outright majority in the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament. The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), led by Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim, emerged as the largest bloc but fell short of a majority. The opposition Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction and several independent candidates also secured seats.
With the parliament fragmented, parties have begun negotiations to form a coalition government. The new parliament is expected to convene in October 2026 to elect a Chief Minister and Speaker. Analysts suggest that coalition talks could take weeks, as parties seek to align on key issues such as the region's transition to full autonomy and the extension of the transition period.
The election marks a critical step in the Bangsamoro peace process, which aims to bring lasting stability to the region after decades of conflict. The international community, including the United Nations and the Philippine government, has urged all parties to respect the results and work together to form a stable government.
