The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL)’s delegation met on 6 November 2025 with Nepal’s Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki as part of a high-level courtesy visit ahead of the country’s snap elections on 5 March 2026. The discussion focused on the significance of citizen observation, challenges regarding the implementation of out-of-country
Overview On 21 October 2025, Japan’s National Diet elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s 104th Prime Minister, making her the first woman to hold the post. Her election marks a historic moment for Japan’s politics, but also reflects a period of deep political volatility and shifting party dynamics. Takaichi, a longtime member
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) are co-hosting a session on "Safeguarding the Integrity of our Democratic Institutions: Enabling Greater Representation and Accountability" during Day 1 of the 2025 Asia Democracy Assembly of the Asia Democracy Network (ADN). The session will address
In the second of the two-part webinar, ANFREL will discuss developments in Malaysia, Indonesia and Timor-Leste this Friday, 24 October 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Bangkok time. BERSIH chairperson Faisal Aziz, PERLUDEM board member Titi Anggraini and independent analyst Januario Ragel Soares will discuss developments in Malaysia, Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The webinar will
https://www.youtube.com/live/yOo35vMTyFA?si=XwvXbCwYhYQr_aja The Asian Network for Free Elections is hosting a two-part webinar on political rights and movements in Southeast Asia. The first and second parts of the webinar will be on 17 and 24 October 2025, respectively. For the first part, ANFREL executive council member Asiath Rilweena and Professor Duncan McCargo will
In September 2025, notable political and electoral developments took place across Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, the National Consensus Commission continued to struggle to secure agreement among political parties on the July charter ahead of the upcoming elections, while the Election Commission pressed forward with its preparations. Along the Cambodia–Thailand border,
Issue No. 07 of ANFREL's Elections and Technology Reader revisits the monitored use and impact of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to elections, reiterating a multi-pronged approach to address potential misuse and abuse that could jeopardize electoral integrity.The "Elections and Technology Reader" looks into emerging trends related to generative AI and
Myanmar Junta's Planned Elections: Falling Short of Democratic Legitimacy It has been more than four years since the Myanmar military staged a coup for alleged widespread electoral fraud during the 2020 general election yet the country remains in turmoil. Amid mounting humanitarian crisis and civil unrest with the heavy militarization and armed conflict,
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) in launching on 30 September 2025 the findings of its assessment of the upcoming junta-planned elections in Myanmar. The review is an independent undertaking of election-related developments in Myanmar, based on extensive monitoring and dozens of consultations with diverse stakeholders. The Myanmar military staged a
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) convened the third round of its “Strengthening Citizen Election Observation in Bangladesh” engagements on 23 September 2025 in Dhaka. Building on the foundation-setting workshop in June 2025 and the specialized inclusion and election-day observation workshop in August 2025, this half-day meeting brought together traditional election
Overview In September 2025, Nepal was rocked by its most intense political unrest in decades. What began as a government-imposed ban on 26 social media platforms quickly ignited a nationwide movement, with thousands of young Nepalis – proudly calling themselves Gen Z – pouring into the streets of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other
In August 2025, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Myanmar witnessed significant political and electoral developments. The Election Commission intensified preparations for the upcoming general elections by introducing a new electoral roadmap. Meanwhile, in Myanmar, the military junta pushed forward with plans for its first election since the 2021 coup, introducing amendments to the electoral
Corruption and excesses of elected government officials are once again at the center of attention in several countries in Asia as public outrage continues to grow. In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) will discuss the power of the electorate beyond the ballot box
Corruption and excesses of elected government officials are once again at the center of attention in several countries in Asia as public outrage continues to grow. In Indonesia, mass protest actions erupted in late August 2025 against economic and political frustration and reports of parliamentarians receiving monthly housing allowance equivalent to 10
Overview This election comes in the wake of the unexpected resignation of India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on 21 July 2025, nearly two years before the completion of his term. Dhankhar, 74, cited health reasons and stated in his letter to President Droupadi Murmu that he was stepping down “to prioritise health
In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, we’ll discuss promoting inclusion and addressing societal inequality through LGBTQIA+ community representation and participation in politics, governance and public policy making. Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Equal Ground executive director and Cornelius Damar Hanung, FORUM-ASIA East Asia and ASEAN Programme Manager joined us for this episode. Stream
A diverse representation in politics and governance is important to ensure that every voice is heard and a wide range of issues are addressed. There are sectors, however, like the LGBTQIA+ community that continue to be underrepresented but whose issues and challenges are as equally important to be heard and addressed as
https://www.youtube.com/live/sE44vlLDqd0?feature=shared In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, the team at the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) reflected democracy and elections in Asia based on the experiences, lessons and insights they have picked up through their work. ANFREL Senior Program Officer Tharindu Abeyrathna, Senior Program Officer Manjesh Rana, Program Officer
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) works to push for the advancement of electoral democracy in Asia. As the foremost regional election observation group in Asia, ANFREL supports the democratization in the region through election observation, campaigns and advocacy, capacity building and fora, discussion and research on pressing electoral issues and
https://www.youtube.com/live/WSdUsPecCu4?feature=shared In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) discussed what preparations are being done for the next elections and the reforms that have been implemented to ensure electoral integrity in Bangladesh. Assistant Professor Md. Mostafa Hosain at the School of Law in Brac University,
Resilient Participation in a Constrained Electoral Landscape Overview This issue of Data Dive draws from the Final Election Observation Report recently released by the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) following its comprehensive monitoring of the 2025 Philippine National and Local Midterm Elections held on 12 May 2025. Conducted in a politically
All roads lead to the elections in Bangladesh. Interim government head of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus announced on 5 August 2025 that he will write to the Election Commission chief requesting to hold elections before Ramadan in February 2026. In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections
Issue No. 06 of ANFREL's Elections and Technology Reader presents a case for developing an assessment tool on election data transparency and access to information using the open data standards as rubric.The "Elections and Technology Reader" looks into emerging trends related to generative AI and other emerging technologies and their use and
Empowering the Youth in Promoting Electoral Integrity, Strengthening Democracy As part of ANFREL's commitment to empower the youth in engaging in promoting electoral integrity and strengthening democracy, ANFREL hosts young students through its internship and youth-oriented programs including the Asian Academy for Electoral Integrity. ANFREL hosted four students from Tamkang University under
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has wrapped up the second leg of its “Strengthening Citizen Election Observation in Bangladesh” workshops under the Bangladesh Elections and Democracy Programme. Held on 10–11 August 2025 in Dhaka, the sessions built on the momentum of the June 2025 workshop, diving deeper into inclusive election
In July 2025, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Myanmar experienced a series of significant political and electoral developments, with notable election-related activity in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Bangladesh is preparing for its first national elections since the 2024 uprising, while Myanmar’s military junta is advancing plans for its first election since the 2021 coup. In
https://www.youtube.com/live/KoYJkbtpaRs?feature=shared The “Great Recall” in Taiwan has been considered as an unprecedented effort to recall sitting representatives in the national-level legislature with no other recall efforts worldwide having been recorded as extensive as what happened in Taiwan. In Season 2 Episode 6 of "The Election Observer" podcast, the Asian Network for Free
The “Great Recall” in Taiwan has been considered as an unprecedented effort to recall sitting representatives in the national-level legislature with no other recall efforts worldwide having been recorded as extensive as what happened in Taiwan. On 26 July 2025, recall votes were held for 24 members of the Legislative Yuan, all
https://www.youtube.com/live/6RM18xiyKUE?feature=shared Youth participation and engagement in elections and democracy building are important for the sustainability and growth of democracy. Believing and investing in the power of the youth and hopefully inspiring the young generation in engaging in elections, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has implemented youth-centered programs like the Asian
Youth participation and engagement in elections and democracy building are important for the sustainability and growth of democracy. When empowered, the youth can spark and demand societal changes and reforms in key institutions. However, data shows that the youth are less engaged in democratic processes as they increasingly distrust public institutions due