MANILA, Philippines — A prolonged war in the Middle East would jack up the cost of holding the parliamentary elections in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) by as much as 25%, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that the spikes in petroleum prices are expected to drive up expenses, particularly for logistics and supplies, which are critical to their preparations. Garcia estimated that under current conditions, the total cost of the BARMM polls could rise by up to 25 percent, possibly more if the Middle East war will continue in the months leading up to the planned September 14, 2026 election. He explained that election materials, including automated machines and official ballots, must be transported across the Bangsamoro region by land and sea, where fuel costs are significantly higher. With logistics expenses already projected to increase by at least 20 percent, and supply costs by around 20 to 25 percent, Garcia admitted that Comelec’s current budget may fall short.