From mobilizing hundreds of thousands of citizens on the ground to deploying cutting-edge mobile apps, the evolution of election monitoring tells a powerful story of civic duty matching pace with modern technology. Ahead of the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF-VII) in Manila, we talked to the National Citizens' Movement for Free
Election day is often seen as the climax of democracy, but for the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), the real work happens in the systems and structures built long before the first ballot is cast. In a recent discussion with LENTE Executive Director Atty. Ona Caritos, the organization outlined the critical
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) announce the postponement of the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-7) in Manila, originally scheduled to take place from 21 to 23 April 2026, in light of the declaration of a national energy emergency in the Philippines. Philippine President
https://youtu.be/VHtISTaJdFQ MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Philippines’ Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officially launched the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF-VII), on Monday, March 23, 2026. “[AESF-VII] aims to bring together representatives to foster collaboration as well as cooperation among our ASEAN neighbors through sharing of
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in partnership with Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), are co-hosting the 7th Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-7) in Manila, Philippines from 21 to
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Commission on Elections Technical Working Group (COMELEC TWG) met on 16 September 2025 for the preparations for the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VII). ANFREL and COMELEC TWG worked on finalizing the operational timeline, procurement and convening of working groups to finalize the
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Technical Working Group met on 4 September 2025 to discuss preparations for the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum. ANFREL and the COMELEC TWG for AESF-VII are working on refining the program design and technical and logistical preparations. On 16
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 16 May 2025 for the co-hosting of the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VII) in Manila in 2026. After initial discussions, ANFREL and COMELEC officially forged the partnership paving the way
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) met today, 14 January 2025, to discuss the hosting of the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF) in the Philippines. AESF is a platform for election management bodies (EMBs), civil society organizations (CSO), and stakeholders across Asia to
Preamble Recalling and respecting the significant contributions made in the past five editions of the Asian Electoral Stakeholders’ Forum to promote electoral democracy in Asia through exchange of information, experience, mutual assistance, collaboration and partnership among the Election Management Bodies, Civil Societies, Media, Policy makers, Academe, Researchers and the people, Acknowledging the
The participants of the sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI) affirmed their dedication to strengthen democracy and promote electoral integrity through electoral reforms, encapsulated in the Kathmandu Declaration. Around 300 electoral stakeholders from election management bodies (EMBs), election observer groups, civil society organizations, academe, international NGOs, among others, gathered in Kathmandu, Nepal
Over 200 electoral stakeholders representing Asian election management bodies (EMBs), election observer groups, think tanks, among others, are gathering in Kathmandu, Nepal from 6 to 7 December 2023 for the sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI). The Election Commission, Nepal (ECN) and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) are co-hosting AESF-VI,
The registration for the sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI) is now open. AESF-VI will take place in Kathmandu, Nepal on 6-7 December 2023. The online registration is a prerequisite for all those who wish to participate in AESF-VI. Due to limited slots and funding opportunities to support participant, however, the registration
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and co-host Election Commission, Nepal have decided to move the sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI) to 6-7 December 2023 in light of two big cultural and traditional events in Nepal. AESF-VI was first announced to be held on from 6-7 November 2023. Still in
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) met with the officials of the Election Commission, Nepal on 2 September 2023 to discuss preparations for the sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI). Last year, ANFREL and ECN signed a memorandum of understanding to co-host AESF-VI in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2023. AESF-VI is also
The fifth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF 5) participants developed a memorandum which provides insights on the way forward for elections beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic compounded the already existing unprecedented attacks to democracy and the continuous backsliding of fundamental freedoms worldwide, AESF 5 gathered a diversity of election
Full Report : Colombo Pledge ( Myanmar Translation) We, the election stakeholders convening today at the fourth Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF IV), reaffirm our resolute commitment and dedication to secure democratic elections for everyone in Asia. We believe it is our duty to act assertively on electoral issues and do everything in
Asian electoral stakeholders have just reached another milestone in its pursuit towards more democratic and transparent elections in the region through meaningful cooperation among Civil Society and Election Management Bodies. The 3rd Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF) was successfully held in Bali, Indonesia from 21-25 August 2016. It was co-hosted by the
PDF Copy: The Colombo Pledge The Colombo Pledge to Promote and Defend Electoral Democracy in Asia We, the election stakeholders convening today at the fourth Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF IV), reaffirm our resolute commitment and dedication to secure democratic elections for everyone in Asia. We believe it is our duty to act
For Immediate Release Colombo, Sri Lanka It is the honor of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) to convene the Fourth Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF-IV) in Colombo, Sri Lanka,on August 27 and 28, 2018. The AESF will have as theme “Advancing Election Transparency
DILI, March 19, 2015 – The 2015 Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum came to a successful close on March 19th after two days of substantive discussions and information sharing among representatives of Election Management Bodies(EMBs) and Civil Society Organizations(CSOs). Coming two years after the inaugural meeting of the AES Forum, this year’s co-hosts,
17 March 2015, DILI, TIMOR-LESTE– The historic second meeting of the Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AES Forum) will take place in Dili, Timor-Leste on 18 & 19 March 2015. It brings together more than 120 representatives of Election Management Bodies and Civil Society Organizations from across Asia and the Community of Portuguese
Bangkok Declaration Endorsement Ceremony; 11 Dec 2012 Download as a PDF Here: http://bit.ly/1loSWYo [embed width="650" height="850"]https://anfrel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/The-Bangkok-Declaration-on-Free-and-Fair-Elections-Its-Endorsers.pdf[/embed]
Asian electoral management bodies and civil society organizations concluded their discussion of the Bangkok Declaration on Free and Fair Elections at the end of their first-ever gathering to promote democratic, transparent elections on the world's most populous continent. [embed width="650" height="850"]https://anfrel.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ANFREL-news-release-11-Dec-2012_Final.pdf[/embed] [embed width="650" height="850"]https://anfrel.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ANFREL-news-release-11-Dec-2012_Thai.pdf[/embed]
[embed width="650" height="850"]https://anfrel.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ANFREL-news-release-_10-Dec-2012_.pdf[/embed]