4 dead, 19 hurt in BARMM election-related incidents -- Comelec

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There were four fatalities and 19 injured persons in election-related incidents in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday afternoon.

During a press conference at the Comelec Command Center in Cotabato City, chairperson George Garcia said three of those who died were at a shootout in a school in Cotabato City.

The same incident also resulted in 15 wounded individuals.

The exchange of gunfire was triggered by a commotion between rival political supporters outside the Datu Usman Mampen school site in Barangay Bagua 2, Cotabato City on the eve of the BARMM parliamentary elections.

Authorities said the violence erupted when supporters of rival factions —identified as UBJP and BFP camps — began jostling for priority placement in the line.

Garcia also reported that one person died and three others were wounded after violence erupted at the Pilot Central Elementary School in Cotabato City, as supporters of rival parties traded accusations of election violence.

WATCH: Violence erupted at Pilot Central Elementary School in Cotabato City at around 6:50 AM on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, after supporters of rival parties traded accusations of election violations. #BARMMElections2026 | via @tinapperez

Courtesy: Katungod Bangsamoro

READ:… pic.twitter.com/RcMjWYyfmf

— GMA News (@gmanews) September 14, 2026

Meanwhile, another person was injured after the improvised explosion device he was carrying exploded.

Despite these incidents and reports of pre-shaded ballots, Garcia earlier urged voters to not be afraid and participate in the historic polls.

"Yung mga kababayan natin dito sa Bangsamoro, mas lalo nating ipakita ang tapang natin. Huwag po tayong magpapatinag. Huwag po tayong magpapatakot sa kanila. Lalo po tayong bumoto," Garcia said.

(To our countrymen in the Bangsamoro, let us have more courage. Do not be deterred. Do not be afraid of them. Let us have more courage to vote.)

According to the poll body, the transmission of partial and unofficial results of the BARMM polls would begin after the closing of polls at 7 p.m. and the printing of the first nine copies of the election returns.

BARMM is holding its first parliamentary elections on Monday, September 14, with 2.393 million registered voters in the region.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia earlier said he is hoping for a 65%-70% voter turnout in the BARMM polls. —RF, GMA News