ANFREL ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Asian  election  observation  has become   more  well  known in  election circles
over the course of the last few years. Yet manuals  and handbooks  on  election
observation too often fail to mention a key factor in the importance of election
observation, particularly as it is practiced in Asia. This is that election observation
provides an opportunity for citizen participation in the affairs of government during
elections. It must be emphasized that attaining and sustaining democracy can
happen only through faithful and persistent citizen action. Past experience has
shown that citizen participation that begins with active participation in elections
fosters a political culture that encourages citizen participation in promoting good
governance which is why most if not all election monitoring organizations have
“post election activities” that promote good governance which is necessary for
the strengthening and building of democratic institutions. Hence, we have such
projects as “Parliament Watch” and the like. These activities are triggered by the
efforts of the citizenry to bring about free and fair elections and a recognition that
building democracy begins with clean elections as the beginning point.