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), together with its members and partners, calls on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to formally recognize and protect citizen election observers as human rights defenders. Citizen election observers serve on the frontlines of democratic participation. Through independent and non-partisan observation, they help safeguard
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) underscores the significance for Myanmar and the broader region of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit taking place in Cebu, Philippines this week. As the Myanmar military authorities continue efforts to seek legitimacy following the military coup in 2021 and the subsequent illegitimate elections staged in December
5 March 2026Kathmandu, Nepal The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) commends the people of Nepal for their participation in the 2026 elections, which were conducted in a peaceful and orderly environment across the areas observed by ANFREL’s International Election Observation Mission. Following a period marked by public protests and civic mobilization
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is deploying an International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) for Nepal’s 5 March 2026 House of Representatives election to independently assess both the overall technical administration of the election and the broader conditions for political competition within Nepal’s evolving democratic context. In light of recent political
As an international election observation organization committed to strengthening the integrity, transparency, and credibility of electoral processes, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) notes the ongoing public debate in Thailand regarding barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers used in the 2026 Thai Parliamentary Elections and expresses serious concern over potential
12 February 2026 Dhaka, Bangladesh The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) commends the people of Bangladesh for their participation in the peaceful and orderly Parliamentary Elections and Referendum held on 12 February 2026. Nineteen months after the historic July Uprising, voters across Bangladesh arrived at polling stations with anticipation to cast
27 January 2026Dhaka, Bangladesh Today, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) officially launched its International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) for the 13th Parliamentary Elections and Referendum in Bangladesh. The mission commenced today and will continue until 17 February 2026, spanning a period of 22 days. ANFREL will deploy 22 international election
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) condemns the arrest and continuous detention of Ugandan human rights lawyer and citizen observer Dr. Sarah Bireete. Dr. Bireete, executive director of Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) who also serves as board chair of the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM), was arrested on
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has closely monitored developments surrounding the Myanmar military junta’s preparations for elections scheduled to begin tomorrow, 28 December 2025. Based on prevailing political, security, and human rights conditions, ANFREL assesses that the environment in which these elections are being organized fails to meet minimum requirements
Distinguished Delegates to the 11th Conference of the States Parties to United NationsConvention against Corruption (Doha, 15 to 19 December 2025): We, the undersigned domestic and regional networks of election monitoring organisations, democracy and anticorruption civil society and international organisations from across the globe, express our commitment to the precepts of the
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) joined endorsing organizations of the Declaration of Principles (DoP) for International Election Observation in reaffirming their commitment to supporting genuine democratic elections. As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the DoP, the endorsing organizations also reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of international election observation
2025 October 24, Bangkok, Thailand. As ASEAN leaders gather for the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to deliberate on pressing regional and global challenges, including the worsening crisis in Myanmar, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) strongly opposes the Myanmar junta-planned election. This electoral exercise, scheduled to begin on 28
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
View this joint statement in Myanmar. We, the undersigned organizations specializing in election observation, electoral and democracy assistance, committed to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation advocating for genuine and credible elections, unequivocally reject plans by Myanmar’s illegal military junta, the State Administrative Council (SAC), to hold a so-called ‘election’
For Immediate ReleaseColombo, Sri Lanka14 November 2024 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) commends the people of Sri Lanka for their commitment to a largely peaceful and orderly conduct of the Parliamentary Elections held on 14 November 2024. These elections stand as a proud milestone for Sri Lankans, concluding without any
Press ReleaseColomboSeptember 19, 2024 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) urges the citizens of Sri Lanka to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming Presidential Election on September 21, 2024, and remain vigilant in ensuring a credible election process. This election is particularly significant due to the highly competitive nature
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) calls for urgent and decisive action following ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5th, 2024, marking a pivotal moment for democratic renewal in Bangladesh. Hasina's over 15-year rule, which began in January 2009, was increasingly marked by authoritarian practices including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances,
We, the undersigned, urgently bring to your attention a disturbing development concerning the Government of Bangladesh. An email dated 25 July 2024, sent by the Government to its overseas embassies, instructs them to counter the current narrative regarding the situation in Bangladesh. This communication seeks to manipulate host governments and media outlets,
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) proudly joins the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) community in welcoming the resolution of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which recognizes international and citizen election monitors as human rights defenders. As a network of like-minded election observers and monitors, ANFREL places the
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) expressed its intent to observe the upcoming 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election during a meeting with the Elections Commission of Sri Lanka today, 26 March 2024. ANFREL has observed 12 elections in Sri Lanka since 2001 promoting international principles of democratic elections. ANFREL is a
DOWNLOAD THE FULL STATEMENT: "ANFREL’s Pre-Election Observations and Appeal to Voters to Exercise their Right to Vote in the 2024 Indonesia General Elections" EN | ID The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) enjoins the people of Indonesia to exercise their right to vote and remain vigilant amid concerns over the threats
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) launched today, 7 February 2024, its international expert election observation mission to the 2024 Indonesian General Election deploying three electoral analysts and seven short-term observers across the country. Indonesia is heading to the polls on 14 February 2024 to elect a president, vice president, members
We, the undersigned civil society organisations, voice our deep concern regarding the 12th Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh, which took place on 7 January 2024. The elections were neither genuine nor competitive and raised serious questions about its adherence to democratic principles and international election standards. Numerous reports and evidence point to widespread
ANFREL voices its profound concern regarding the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh, set to take place on 7 January 2024. It is strongly believed that this election is at risk of lacking genuineness and electoral competitiveness, raising serious questions about its adherence to democratic principles and international election standards that assess
To:The European Union ParliamentThe United States CongressThe Parliament of CanadaThe Parliament of AustraliaThe Parliament of United KingdomThe Parliament of New ZealandThe Parliament of Japan Your Honors, We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are writing to express our grave concerns about the state of human rights and democracy in Cambodia. Cambodia is continuing
The organizations represented here firmly denounce the conviction of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar in Bangladesh. On 14 September 2023, the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal sentenced Khan and Elan to two years in prison with a fine of 10,000 Bangladeshi Taka under the draconian digital security
Leaders of Prominent Rights Group Convicted on Trumped-Up Charges [14 September 2023] Bangladesh authorities should immediately release human rights defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, quash their convictions, and end all reprisals against them for their legitimate human rights work, said 72 organizations today. Khan and Elan were sentenced by
Today, 14 September 2023, marks a significant juncture in the pursuit of justice as we await the verdict in the case of Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar. The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) stands in solidarity with Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar. We urge the
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) strongly denounces the recent incident involving the raid and the arbitrary detention of both staff and volunteers associated with the Election Resource Centre (ERC) and the Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN) on the 23rd of August. This transpired shortly after the closure of polls and