Democracy Delayed? Asian Electorate Seeing Legal Maneuvers, Polling Shifts Across Asia, election watchdogs and civil society organizations are raising alarms over a subtle yet dangerous trend: governments seeking to delay elections, alter structural nomination rules, and shift parliamentary timelines, setting back key legislative priorities. Recent moves by state actors across the region
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) expresses its disappointment and dismay over the signing by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of Republic Act No. 12326 on September 24, 2026 — a law that postpones the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from November 2, 2026 to the second Monday of November
Quezon City, September 22, 2026 — Congress has passed a bill extending the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from four to five years. The bill amends Republic Act No. 12232, moving the BSKE, originally scheduled for November 2, 2026 to November 2028. We call on President Marcos to veto this
September 15, 2026, Cotabato City - LENTE assesses elections beyond simply considering the number of voting centers opened, the number of ballots cast, and the percentage of the results transmitted; far from ticking these bureaucratic checkboxes, it is vital to ask whether the public has confidence in the process and, later on,
September 10, 2026, Cotabato City — After several postponements and delays, Bangsamoro voters will finally choose their first elected parliament on 14 September 2026, ending the transition period that began in 2019. With four days left until the 14 September BARMM Parliamentary Elections, the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) calls on all
Mandaluyong City — The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) released its Pre-Election Assessment of the September 14, 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections, finding that while the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is technically and logistically prepared to administer the region's first regular parliamentary polls, five compounding
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
This report assesses the conduct of the Maldives’ 2026 Local Council Elections, Women’s Development Committee (WDC) Elections, and the Constitutional Referendum, based on observations and evidence collected throughout the election cycle. Drawing on long-term and election-day observation, media monitoring, interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary review, the report evaluates the process against
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
Power and Protection in Asian Elections There is a collective struggle to challenge power structures that shut out ordinary citizens and democracy in Asia. Elections monitoring groups are drawing a direct line between the concentration of political power and the rising danger they face as watchdogs. Democratic watchdog organizations in Asia issued
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
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) convened the general assembly on 6 June 2026 and elected a new set of Executive Council members and officers. ANFREL members convened in Bangkok, Thailand where the ANFREL Executive Council shared their accomplishments during their three-year term. The ANFREL Secretariat also shared ANFREL's programs and
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
A collective stand for electoral integrity From the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) to its members across the region, democracy’s heartbeat is present in the relentless vigilance of its observers. In the Maldives, the month began with a ‘triple test’ on 4 April, when voters navigated simultaneous polls for local councils,
Transparency Maldives expresses serious concern over recent developments restricting civic and democratic space in the Maldives, particularly with respect to the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of media, expression and assembly. On 27 April, the Maldives Police Service conducted a raid on the offices of Adhadhu News. The officers entered the premises under a
The National Election Observation Committee released their comprehensive observation report on the 2026 House of Representatives Elections in Nepal. NEOC said despite an incomplete composition of commissioners, the Election Commission Nepal managed to make all necessary arrangements for the conduct of the elections. They noted, however, of structural deficiencies with limited access
Crossroads for Asian democracy Across Asia, electoral participation is no longer the central challenge; citizens are increasingly assertive in demanding accountability. However, recent elections reveal a widening gap between these rising democratic expectations and the ability of institutional safeguards to keep pace. While voters are turning out with clear expectations that their
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
Transparency Maldives issued press statements on the opening and closing of polls on 4 April 2026 for the local council elections. Maldives concurrently conducted the Women's Development Committee elections and Constitutional Referendum. Transparency Maldives said the Election Day processes were generally transparent while observers noted issues with election administration and preparedness, and
Download the press release here: English/Dhivehi On 4 April 2026, the Republic of Maldives will conduct three concurrent electoral events: Local Council Elections, Women’s Development Committee Elections, and a Constitutional Referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. This is the most complex electoral day the country has seen since multiparty democracy
Elections, Elections, Elections Recent political developments in several countries in Asia have paved the way for elections amid emerging issues and challenges. People also hope that the elections would pave the way to push the country forward after mass protests that toppled the ruling political elite. Hoping to gain stability and a
Consolidating Democratic Gains There has been an increasing distrust in public institutions amid issues of corruption and government excesses. On the other hand, the public engagement in collectively speaking up against these issues signals democratic resilience. In Bangladesh, the upcoming elections will test whether institutions can deliver credible processes amid concerns about
Unwavering Commitment to Electoral Integrity A wave of outrage against government corruption have been taking place in several countries in Asia and beyond. Seemingly, the public outrage are mostly led by the youth who are fed up with the dire economic conditions and the observed flaunting of the lavish lifestyle of government
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
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) released the second part of a series of reports on malapportionment and gerrymandering issues in Malaysia. "Mapping Unequal Votes" by Danesh Prakash Chacko explores solutions for the government, the Election Commission, and other stakeholders to implement a fair redelineation exercise. The report said the
Transparency Maldives expresses concern over the proposed changes to the Decentralization Act through bill 18-(ބ)/20/2025 submitted to the parliament on 28th July 2025, which limits the role of councils by taking away their administrative powers, threatening their autonomy and imposing barriers to the provision of essential public services and development initiatives. Local
Marking halfway point of 2025 The year 2025 is a testing ground for democracies around the world on whether or not the lessons of the 2024 super election year would be taken into serious consideration. Halfway through the year, several countries including South Korea, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and the Philippines, have conducted
26 June, is the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Observed globally since 1988, the day signifies solidarity with victims of torture and cruel treatment around the world. On this day, Odhikar stands in solidarity with individuals subjected to oppression, torture, and all forms of cruel, inhuman, and violent acts
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
Sri Lanka had its local government elections on 6 May 2025 while the Philippines had its national and local elections on 12 May 2025. ANFREL members conducted various programs and activities to ensure electoral integrity in their respective countries. 2025 Philippine Elections In a stakeholder exchange during the press briefing for the