The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) participated in the "Stakeholder Dialogue on Election Observation Recommendations, Reform Priorities, and Implementation Considerations" in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 8-9 July 2026. The dialogue was jointly organized by the European Partnership for Democracy and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in collaboration with the Bangladesh Election Commission
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed small teams of election observers to monitor the elections in Bangkok, Thailand on 28 June 2026. Bangkok voters headed to the polls to elect the capital's governor and members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council. Pattaya voters simultaneously went to the polls to elect the
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed an independent International Expert Election Observation Mission (IEEOM) to assess the 2026 elections for the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE). This mission, conducted in coordination with the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), marks ANFREL’s first standalone and fully independent observation of the Tibetan electoral process.
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed international election observers across Bangladesh to engage with various stakeholders and monitor election-related activities including preparations for the elections and campaign activities. They will also observe Election Day processes including voting and counting procedures. Bangladesh is set to hold the parliamentary elections and referendum
International election observers of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) are ready for deployment after a two-day briefing in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In Day 2, the Bangladesh Election Commission briefed the observers on the electoral process while the Special Branch of Police provided a brief on election-related violence. ANFREL international election observers
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) international election observers are in Dhaka, Bangladesh for a two-day briefing as part of the preparation for their deployment to observe the upcoming elections and referendum in the country. Day 1 (6 February 2026) covered core topics on the international election observation mission, the electoral
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) joined endorsing organizations in the Convening Committee and Annual Implementation Meetings of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation (DoP) in Geneva, Switzerland, 10-12 December 2025. This year's implementation meeting marked 20 years since the launch of the DoP at the United Nations Secretariat.
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) continued its coordination engagements with traditional election observation organizations and inclusion-rights groups in Bangladesh through a follow-up meeting held on 06 November 2025 in Dhaka. This round of discussions further strengthened communication, preparedness, and complementarity among citizen observer networks and organizations advocating for inclusion in
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
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
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) 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
Citizen observers and civil society actors participated in a three-day workshop in Dhaka titled "Strengthening Citizen Election Observation in Bangladesh: Principles, Partnerships, and Framework Development." The workshop held from 19-21 June 2025 was organized to build stronger partnerships and shape a unified framework for citizen-led election observation in the country. The Asian
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) international election observers participated in Day 1 of the briefing on the Philippine electoral system, electoral landscape, and information ecosystem. ANFREL is observing the 2025 national and local elections. ANFREL members National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) and
The mission management team of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) international election observation mission (IEOM) to the 2025 national and local elections in the Philippines are in the country preparing for the deployment of international election observers. Ten long-term observers will participate in a two-day briefing from 30 April to
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) recognized pioneering colleagues for the unwavering commitment, visionary leadership and exceptional dedication in advancing electoral democracy in Asia. ANFREL awarded founding member and chairperson Damaso Magbual, executive council officer Sakool Zuesongdham and former executive directors Somsri Hananuntasuk, Ichal Supriadi and Chandanie Watawala. ANFREL founding member
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed short-term observers on 11 November across Sri Lanka. Thirteen long-term observers were deployed earlier to observe election-related activities in the country. Prior to their deployment, the observers participated in a one-day briefing in Colombo about Sri Lanka's electoral system and political landscape. A total
ANFREL long-term observers in Sri Lanka have been observing election-related activities and talking to various electoral stakeholders. On 31 October 2024, 13 LTOs were deployed across the country as part of ANFREL's international election observation mission to the 2024 Parliamentary Election scheduled for 14 November 2024. They are duly accredited by the
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and International IDEA co-hosted a panel discussion on the 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election in Colombo, 24 September 2024. ANFREL presented interim findings and recommendations from its International Expert Election Observation Mission to the Sri Lankan election. ANFREL said the Election Day (21 September 2024)
ANFREL executive director Brizza Rosales participated in the ninth implementation meeting of the Declaration of Global Principles for Nonpartisan Election Observation and Monitoring by Citizen Organizations. The Declaration of Global Principles "provides an important set of standards for self-awareness and accountability among nonpartisan election monitoring organizations." It was "developed through a consensus
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) welcomed a new batch of interns from the Global Service Internship Program during an orientation on 24 June 2024. Three students from Taiwan will be with ANFREL for a month to learn about election observation and electoral reform advocacy and support in ANFREL's work to
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) released the interim report on its international expert election observation mission to the 2024 Indonesian General Election in a media briefing on 18 February 2024. The interim report highlighted key electoral issues that showed signed of declining democratic norms and values. ANFREL also recognized the
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 Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) welcomed a new batch of interns from Taiwan and Myanmar. Three students of the Department of Global Politics and Economics in Tamkang University will be with ANFREL for a month as interns under the Global Service Internship Program while an international relations and development student
The people of Timor-Leste head to the polls for the 2023 Parliamentary Elections today, 21 May 2023. The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed five teams of international election observers to monitor the elections including polling and vote tabulation processes. ANFREL wishes the people of Timor-Leste safe and peaceful elections. This
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed five international election observers in Timor-Leste to monitor the 2023 Parliamentary Elections. The election observers have been interviewing various stakeholders and observing election-related activities including preparations and campaign rallies. On Election Day, 21 May 2023, ANFREL will observe polling and vote tabulation processes. This
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed 41 election observes across Thailand for the 2023 general election. ANFREL election observers, who are duly accredited by the Election Commission of Thailand, are monitoring the campaign period, advance voting, and preparations for the polls in 52 out of the 77 provinces in the
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) trained 35 leaders of election observer groups in Timor-Leste in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The ANFREL ToT for Domestic Observers in Timor-Leste, held from 31 March to 1 April 2023 in Dili, sought to mentor the participants on training their members about election
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) Executive Council officers and members gathered in Bangkok, Thailand on 20 March 2023 for the regular council meeting. The ANFREL Secretariat, led by Executive Director Chandanie Watawala, presented ANFREL's programs in 2022 and the outlook for 2023. The Executive Council reaffirmed ANFREL's commitment to push
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) attended the implementation meeting of the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) Declaration of Principles (DoP) for International Election Observation from 6 to 8 December 2022, in Brussels, Belgium. ANFREL executive director Chandanie Watawala also spoke on cooperation among international and non-partisan citizen observer