The Push for Electoral Reform, Accountability Across Asia Continues

Member organizations of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) carried out a wide range of civic and advocacy initiatives across Asia throughout July 2026.

Civic groups engaged directly with electoral authorities and legislative bodies to advocate for legal reforms and democratic safeguards. They actively monitored political accountability, upholding human rights, and fair campaign practices across Asia. 

In Indonesia, a Constitutional Court decision upheld direct elections for regional heads, opposing proposals to alter or delay the 2029 Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) election timeline, and suggested filling deputy regional head roles with career civil servants. 

The People’s Voter Education Network (JPPR) and the Association for Elections and Democracy (PERLUDEM) issued statements welcoming the court ruling.

Meanwhile, the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL) submitted its 2025 voter registration audit and recommendations to the Cambodian National Election Committee (NEC) and held community workshops in Preah Vihear province on ballot secrecy and election irregularities. 

In the Maldives, Transparency Maldives (TM) released its final observation report on the 2026 local council and constitutional referendum elections.

As Malaysia conducts back-to-back local elections, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) deployed local observers to polling centers in the state elections of Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

In Bangladesh, Odhikar met with the International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor to discuss progress on cases involving enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, and held public consultations on access to justice. 

As the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) regular Parliamentary Elections approaches in the Philippines, ANFREL members deployed observers for local voting procedures, and launched official monitoring for the upcoming polls. 

Through these coordinated efforts, ANFREL member organizations continue to strengthen democratic accountability, safeguard human rights, and promote transparent electoral practices across the region.

Here are the programs and activities that ANFREL members implemented and conducted in June 2026:

• [Myanmar] New Myanmar Foundation issued a statement honoring fallen student martyrs on the 64th anniversary of the 1962 7th July Student Movement.
• [Maldives] Transparency Maldives issued a clarification regarding ongoing legal proceedings initiated by a former employee against the organization.
• [Philippines] LENTE, in partnership with the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO), launched Season 2 of the “Halalang Bangsamoro: Ang Boto ng Bangsamoro” podcast series to profile Regional Parliamentary Political Parties (RPPPs) and Parliamentary Sectoral Organizations (PSOs) ahead of the official campaign period.

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