There have been a number of efforts to analyze and draw up lessons from the 2024 super election year. Amid a tide of democratic backsliding, there were several glimmers of hope in countries where people pushed back against rising authoritarian regimes.

While 2025 will not see the same magnitude of electoral exercise as 2024, how countries take stock of the global experience will serve as a litmus test as to how much we learned and are willing to learn in order to protect and uphold electoral integrity.

Nonetheless, ANFREL members have been working on various programs and activities to protect the people’s right to vote. In the Philippines, ANFREL members in the country — LENTE, NAMFREL and PPCRV — have been conducting various programs for the upcoming national and local elections.

ANFREL members in Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand have also been continuing their much needed work in their respective countries.

This year, Sri Lanka is expected to conduct its local elections while Bangladesh is anticipating a general election. ANFREL has affirmed its commitment to support the democratization process in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, we’d like to extend our gratitude to Mr. Ooi Kok Hin for his hard work and dedication as executive director of Bersih whose departure has been announced. Congratulations and good luck to Mr. Asraf Sharafi for his appointment as acting executive director.

Know more about the programs and activities that ANFREL members implemented and conducted in the January 2025 issue of the ANFREL Members Roundup. Subscribe here to get the latest updates!