Forging Ahead

Just a few months after the 2025 national and local elections, ANFREL members in the Philippines are once again at the forefront—preparing for and carrying out various programs in support of the first Parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Meanwhile, the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections originally scheduled for December 2025 have been postponed to November 2026 under Republic Act No. 12232, extending the terms of incumbent officials. In light of this development, ANFREL members have been closely monitoring the implications of the postponement, engaging communities through voter education, and raising awareness on how the extended terms of barangay and youth officials affect local governance and democratic participation.

At the same time, ANFREL extends its heartfelt gratitude to outgoing PERLUDEM Executive Director Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyati for her years of dedication and service, and warmly congratulates Heroik Mutaqin Pratama on his appointment as the new Executive Director. We wish both of you continued success in your endeavors.

Here are the programs and activities that ANFREL members implemented and conducted in July-August 2025:

• [Bangladesh] Odhikar released the April-June 2025 quarterly human rights report. Odhikar also convened a seminar on enforced disappearances.
• [India] Lokniti published a series of articles analyzing various aspects of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with the release of their report.
• [Indonesia] PERLUDEM announced the changes in the organizational leadership with Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyati stepping down as executive director and Heroik Mutaqin Pratama stepping up as the new executive director. 
• [Malaysia] BERSIH has been working on addressing corruption in Malaysia and pushing for judicial reforms.
• [Maldives] Transparency Maldives released reports on environment and corruption vulnerabilities in the health sector.
• [Philippines] LENTE has been working on pushing for electoral reform agenda for the COMELEC and the Congress. LENTE has also been observing preparations and voter education efforts for the upcoming BARMM Parliamentary Elections.
• [Philippines] NAMFREL has been observing preparations for the upcoming BARMM Parliamentary Elections. NAMFREL published a series of inforgraphics on the BARMM Elections.
• [Sri Lanka] PAFFREL organized a series of meetings on the polling station review and strategic plan of the Election Commission for electoral reforms in Sir Lanka.

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