The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) released today, 1 September 2026, the report of its pre-election assessment for the first BARMM Parliamentary Elections. Read the full report here: "ANFREL-NDI Pre-Election Assessment Report for the First BARMM Parliamentary Elections" Executive Summary After successive postponements, the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Opposing House Bill No. 10376: Hold the Line on the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) expresses its firm opposition to House Bill No. 10376, filed on August 1, 2026 and formally introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives on
Notes unresolved legal questions and accreditation concerns as election period begins The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) continues to monitor the 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Elections, the Bangsamoro people's first opportunity to election their own regional Parliament, as the election period formally opens last 16 July 2026, ahead of the 14 September
PRE-CAMPAIGN STATEMENTCotabato City, July 30, 2026 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have concluded the first phase of their joint Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) ahead of the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parliamentary Elections (BPE) scheduled for September 14, 2026. The elections mark
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) are deploying a joint Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) for the 14 September 2026 First Regular Parliamentary Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines – the region’s first parliamentary elections since the ratification of the Bangsamoro
A HOLLOW VICTORY: Why HB 8389 Falls Short of a Genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law A Step Forward - But Not Enough The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) acknowledges the historic passage of House Bill No. 8389, or the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, by the House of Representatives. For the first time
Executive Summary On 8 February 2026, Thailand reached a significant political milestone as voters simultaneously participated in a general election and a constitutional referendum for the first time in the country’s history. The elections produced a government with the strongest electoral mandate since the 2014 military coup and marked the first parliamentary
Electoral integrity cannot be achieved by a single organization acting in isolation. Lessons on strategic collaboration and cross-sectoral alliances are what the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) hopes to share with the region to the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF-VII). In an interview, PPCRV Executive Director Maribel Buenaobra highlighted
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
Two bills1 recently filed in the Bangsamoro Parliament seek to strip the Bangsamoro Electoral Code and the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code of their anti-dynasty provisions. These bills must be rejected. The 1987 Constitution, under Section 26, Article II, does not state that only Congress may define and regulate political dynasties. Rather, it
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 National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) strongly and unequivocally opposes any move to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled for November 2026. Reports that the government intends to defer these elections — and realign the Commission on Elections' (COMELEC) preparation budget toward other government priorities — represent
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
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
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
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
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
https://www.youtube.com/live/dPdDKRnZQvg?feature=shared In a special episode of The Election Observer, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) discusses monitoring social media during the 2025 national and local elections in the Philippines with colleagues and partners from The Carter Center. ANFREL executive director Brizza Rosales, data analyst Olivia Leu and program associate Dan Richardson
DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT: "High Turnout, Low Competition: Resilient Participation in a Constrained Electoral Landscape | 2025 Philippine Elections Final Report" EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) commends the people of the Philippines for their robust participation in the 2025 National and Local Elections on 12 May 2025. These
UPDATE: Due to the inclement weather, we're conducting a hybrid-event for the launch. The in-person event will push through with the live streaming via ANFREL's social media pages. For those who wish to participate via Zoom, please visit this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87344199283?pwd=nYBbcBCtdzbW6c5wjtbDxz4dUhHyOh.1 We wish for everyone's safety! Please take care. The Asian Network
The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) opposes the postponement of the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled for December 1, 2025. While Article X, Section 8 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides Congress the authority to determine the term of office for Barangay and SK officials
In Issue No. 05 of ANFREL's Elections and Technology Reader looks into the implementation of the internet voting for Filipino voters abroad during the 2025 Philippine national and local elections.While not the first time around the world in terms of using internet voting and with the pioneering efforts of the election management
https://youtu.be/yw0LxdqKB4g?t=4928 Stakeholder Exchange starts at 1:22:08 Election civil society groups in the Philippines commended the openness of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to collaborate with various groups in addressing electoral issues in the country, during a stakeholder exchange hosted by the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) on 16 May 2025. ANFREL
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) launched a limited podcast series called "Ano Na?" during its international election observation mission (IEOM) to the 2025 Philippine National and Local Elections. This followed ANFREL's online campaign during the ANFREL IEOM to the 2024 Sri Lankan Parliamentary Elections to promote citizen observer rights and
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
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) congratulates the Filipino voters, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and all stakeholders for their unwavering determination and mass participation to uphold democracy through the conduct of the 2025 National and Local elections despite operational challenges and a climate of political uncertainty. A total
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) will release the interim report of its international election observation mission to the 2025 Philippine national and local election on 16 May 2025, 9 a.m. at Manila Diamond Hotel. ANFREL will present the preliminary findings and recommendations from ANFREL international election observers deployed across the
https://www.youtube.com/live/TSa0gQkvj5I?feature=shared For the fourth and last episode of the "Ano Na?" limited podcast series, we're going to hear from the ANFREL international election observers about their experience observing elections in the Philippines. ANFREL international election observers Tharindu Abeyrathna, Dr. Laddawan Tantivitayapitak, Chi-En, LEE and Dr. Vibha Attri are joining us in this
For Immediate ReleaseQuezon City13 May 2025 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) congratulates the Filipino people for their unwavering determination and mass participation to uphold democracy through the conduct of the 2025 National and Local elections despite operational challenges and a climate of political uncertainty. ANFREL also acknowledges the valuable contributions