Cotabato City — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended the deadline for filing petitions for registration and accreditation of regional political parties and parliamentary sectoral organizations seeking to participate in the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections in September, with submissions now accepted until April 6.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the extension was approved en banc to give applicants additional time amid the observance of Ramadhan, Eid’l Fitr, and the upcoming Holy Week, according to a report by Philippine Star on Friday, March 20.

 

“The aim of the extension is to allow more groups to complete their applications and seek accreditation for the Bangsamoro parliamentary polls, giving them more time to complete the process,” Garcia added.

 

“We announced that the Comelec en banc decision extended the filing of applications, petitions for registration of political parties and sectoral organizations in Bangsamoro,” Garcia said.

 

“We are still in the time of the holy month of Ramadhan, and this could be completed by the 20th of March. After this, our Holy Week for Catholics will come,” Garcia was quoted as saying.