The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) urged the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliament to retain the 'none of the above' or NOTA option on ballots for the region's first parliamentary elections, calling it a substantive democratic mechanism to reflect voter dissatisfaction. The BARMM Parliament's committee approved its removal on January 19 to simplify voting and prevent confusion. LENTE argued that NOTA provides voters with a genuine and meaningful alternative choice in the Bangsamoro elections.
On January 19, Monday, the BARMM Parliament's committee on amendments, revision, and codification of laws approved the removal of the NOTA option from ballots to simplify the voting process and prevent confusion among voters, according to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. The following day, January 20, Tuesday, LENTE Philippines issued a statement urging the Parliament to reconsider, stating that NOTA would 'allow voters a genuine and meaningful alternative choice in the Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections.'
These ballots are for the predominantly Muslim region's first parliamentary elections, where voters will elect 40 representatives from regional political parties and 32 from parliamentary districts. Eight additional representatives will come from sectoral groups. Prior to the aborted October 30, 2025, elections, there were concerns that NOTA could impact the process if it received more votes than the parties and candidates.
LENTE noted that the option has been used in other countries to gauge public dissatisfaction and aligns with democratic election norms. 'Even as a symbolic vote, NOTA functions as an important barometer of political legitimacy, sending a clear signal to political parties, candidates, and institutions that citizens expect higher standards of leadership, accountability, and governance,' the group said.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, BARMM interim chief minister Abdulraof Macacua signed the law redrawing parliamentary districts, a key step toward the region's first regular parliamentary elections.
