What is the Philippines' BARMM regional election and why does it matter

Nearly 2.4 million registered voters in the Philippines are set to cast ballots for BARMM’s first parliamentary election on Sept. 14, marking the culmination of a decade-long peace process and the transition to elected self-government in the Muslim-majority south. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was created after voters approved greater self-rule in a 2019 plebiscite following a 2014 peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. BARMM covers parts of Mindanao and nearby areas, and will elect an 80-member parliament that selects a chief minister. Supporters credit autonomy with economic gains and reduced poverty, though major development challenges remain.