Legislative districts of Sulu

Voters of the more Christianized provinces of Agusan, Bukidnon, Davao and Zamboanga could elect their representative through popular vote by virtue of Article VI, Section 1 of the 1935 Constitution.

[2] In the Muslim-dominated provinces of Cotabato, Lanao and Sulu, however, voter qualifications were more restrictive: the only persons allowed to vote for the province's representative were past and present municipal officials (municipal president, vice-president, municipal councilors); present senators, assembly representatives and 1935 Constitutional Convention delegates; provincial governors and members of provincial boards; and any persons currently residing in the concerned province who held any of the aforementioned positions in the past.

44 on October 13, 1936, to finally give all qualified voters of Sulu (along with Cotabato and Lanao) the right to elect their own representatives through popular vote.

Sulu (excluding Tawi-Tawi, which became a separate province in 1973[5]) was represented in the Interim Batasang Pambansa as part of Region IX from 1978 to 1984.

Under the new Constitution which was proclaimed on February 11, 1987, the province was reapportioned into two congressional districts;[6] each elected its member to the restored House of Representatives starting that same year.