8 | Guarding the votes, NAMFREL performs public oversight for transparent 1st BARMM parliamentary election

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NAMFREL, a Philippine-based accredited citizens’ election monitoring organization, will also pro-actively independently observe and document the electoral process before, during, and after the 1st BARMM Parliamentary Elections as a parallel transparent public oversight.

This includes monitoring election preparations, campaign activities, social media, polling and counting procedures, and the Random Manual Audit. NAMFREL also reports electoral concerns and irregularities to the appropriate authorities and promotes transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the elections. They will also be working in parallel with the rest of the global election monitors and the Comelec but focused on the election results and outcomes.

NAMFREL has substantial technical capacity to monitor the BARMM election through its established systems for election observation, field data collection, incident reporting, results verification, and electoral auditing. Its structured observation methodology enables trained volunteers and coordinators to collect standardized information on voting procedures, election materials, voter participation, counting, canvassing, and electoral incidents, allowing observations from different areas to be consolidated and analyzed systematically. Its decentralized field network is particularly important in BARMM, where monitoring must cover geographically dispersed communities and areas with logistical and security challenges. NAMFREL also has experience using digital and communications technologies for rapid reporting, including electronic submission of field observations, incident documentation, data consolidation, and mapping, which can facilitate timely identification and verification of election-related concerns.

A major component of NAMFREL’s technical capacity is its experience in parallel vote tabulation (PVT) and independent verification of election results. Through its long experience with election monitoring and Operation Quick Count, NAMFREL has developed procedures for collecting and independently tabulating election returns, providing an external reference against which official results can be assessed. Its experience with automated elections and audit mechanisms also gives it the capacity to examine aspects of election technology and the consistency of transmitted and reported results. In the BARMM context, these capabilities can contribute to detecting discrepancies, documenting irregularities, and strengthening the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

NAMFREL’s technical role, however, is complementary to rather than a substitute for COMELEC’s official election-administration functions. Its principal contribution is to provide an independent citizen-monitoring layer through systematic observation, evidence gathering, verification, auditing, and public reporting. The effectiveness of these capacities in BARMM ultimately depends on the geographical reach of its observers, security conditions, telecommunications connectivity, the quality of observer training, and access to polling, counting, and canvassing activities and election documents. Overall, NAMFREL’s technical capacity provides an important mechanism for promoting electoral transparency, accountability, independent verification, and public confidence in the conduct and results of the BARMM election.

On September 12, NAMFREL welcomed RMAC Resolution No. 01, Series of 2026, which adopts several of its technical recommendations for the September 14, 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Elections.

The resolution, adopted on September 10, formally adopted NAMFREL Observations Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, while taking into consideration Observation No. 5. These measures seek to strengthen the transparency, integrity, and verifiability of the Random Manual Audit process. These recommendations are inclusive of the following:

1. Algorithmic Soundness of the Selection Process - These observations mandate that the automated random selection of precincts to be audited relies on a strictly sound, unbiased mathematical algorithm. They require the public disclosure of the sampling methodology and software source codes used for the draw. This eliminates "black box" suspicions by ensuring that every clustered precinct has a verifiably equal, randomized chance of being chosen. (Observations No. 1 and 2).

2. Framework for Automated-to-Manual Reconciliation -- These provisions standardize the technical guidelines used by the Technical Working Group (RMA-TWG) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to resolve discrepancies. They ensure that the automated machine tallies and physical hand counts are matched using uniform data validation rules, eliminating room for arbitrary human interpretation during a dispute. (Observations No. 3 and 4).

3. Independent Data Validation and Transmission ChecksThis component focuses on verifying the integrity of the results post-transmission. It supports mechanisms like crowdsourcing and independent validation—such as cross-checking the physical QR codes printed on election returns against the data received by COMELEC—ensuring that data transmitted from grid-vulnerable or low-connectivity areas has not been altered or delayed. (Observations No. 7)

The RMAC directed its Technical Working Group and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to integrate the measures into audit implementation. NAMFREL respects the decision not to adopt Observation No. 6, citing existing legal and sampling requirements, while continuing to support future improvements in audit coverage. 

As an accredited citizens’ arm, NAMFREL remains committed to monitoring the Random Manual Audit and safeguarding the accuracy and integrity of votes cast in the historic BARMM Parliamentary Elections.

References:

Jadormio, Mary Jade (September 9, 2026).  Namfrel: BARMM poll faces post-election legitimacy risk. Business Mirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/09/09/namfrel-barmm-poll-faces-post-election-legitimacy-risk/

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) (Sept 12, 2026), NAMFREL Welcomes RMAC Action on BARMM Audit Recommendations, Reaffirms Commitment to Election Transparency. Media Statement. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Psxd2G6PB/ and https://journal.com.ph/namfrel-welcomes-rmac-action-on-barmm-audit-recommendations-reaffirms-commitment-to-election-transparency/

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) (Sept 12, 2026). NAMFREL representatives to the Random Manual Audit Committee (RMAC) participated in the review of the Random Manual Audit (RMA) . https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BfVi5dipZ/



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