Sheriff Abas

He finished his law studies at the Ateneo de Davao University in 2004 and passed the Philippine Bar Examinations the following year.

[6] His appointment was questioned due to his then unconfirmed relationship with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal and according to critics his supposed lack of reputation among Muslim lawyers.

[4] Abas was later appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to be the Comelec chairman through a directive on November 22, 2017 succeeding Andres Bautista who resigned the prior month.

[9] He oversaw the conduct of the Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite in January and February 2019 and the Philippine mid-term general elections in May of the same year.

[7][11] Abas on November 6, 2024 filed his candidacy to run for the position of representative of the 1st parliamentary district of Cotabato City at the Bangsamoro Parliament for the 2025 election.

President Rodrigo Duterte (standing, left) receives the result of the 2019 Bangsamoro plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law , from COMELEC Chairman Abas during a ceremony at the Malacañang Palace .