MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said there is no violation of election laws in the removal of Mohagher Iqbal as minister of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ahead of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE).

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said no prohibited acts were committed at this stage, noting that the election period has not yet started.

“We don’t have any ban at the moment. None yet. Those bans will still apply during the election period,” Garcia said in a forum.

Iqbal was removed from his post following a decision by interim BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, which took effect on May 18.

Under election rules, the election period for the BPE will begin on July 16 and run until Sept. 29.

During this period, the transfer or reassignment of civil service personnel, as well as the suspension of elective local officials without Comelec approval, is prohibited.

The Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections is scheduled for Sept. 14.