Advancing Electoral Democracy in Asia
Bangkok, 30 November 2021 Thailand held on Sunday 28 November 2021 its first tambon/sub-district administration organization (TAO) elections since the 2014 coup. This followed on provincial elections and municipal elections held in December 2020 and March 2021, respectively. ANFREL welcomes this long-overdue return to local democracy, congratulates the voters, the Election Commission
Summary Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, former Mandalay Chief Minister and vice chairman of the NLD were charged with two additional counts under Section 171(f) and Section 130(a) of the Penal Code, alleging abuse of power to influence the vote in the 2020 general elections. He is also barred from taking the stand
The junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) filed charges against 16 people, including Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, former UEC Chair Hla Thein and UEC members Myint Naing and Than Htay over their alleged electoral fraud in the 2020 elections. This is the first time that the junta
According to Myanmar’s National Unity Government’s (NUG) Defense Ministry, 1,300 junta soldiers were killed and 463 injured in clashes with civilian resistance groups in October which was almost double the number the junta’s forces suffered in September. The verdict against Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi for alleged violations of COVID-19
Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has denied two charges that she allegedly breached COVID-19 restrictions during the 2020 general election campaign. Four soldiers and a policeman involved in the raid of Aung San Suu Kyi's residence were cross-examined by her lawyers in the trial for illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies.
This monthly brief intends to provide an update on democracy and civil and political rights issues in selected countries and territories under a restrictive environment.
Myanmar’s ousted leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi appeared at the Naypyitaw’s court and deny the charge of incitement made by the junta as she testified on her own behalf since she was detained during the 1 February coup1. U Win Htein, the detained patron of the NLD party, was sentenced to
First published on LENTE's Facebook Page. The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) participated as observers at the COMELEC’s Voting Simulation Exercise on 23 October 2021, in San Juan Elementary School to help ensure a safe, accountable, inclusive, transparent elections which will inspire national public confidence. The primary purpose of the simulation
The fifth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF 5) participants developed a memorandum which provides insights on the way forward for elections beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic compounded the already existing unprecedented attacks to democracy and the continuous backsliding of fundamental freedoms worldwide, AESF 5 gathered a diversity of election
At least 110 people, including rock singer Ito, NLD members and anti-regime protesters, have been rearrested across the country by the junta immediately after being released, while the junta said that more than 5,600 people in custody or wanted for anti-junta activism would be released or have their arrest warrants canceled1. The
Myanmar ousted leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint pleaded not guilty to the charge of breaching COVID-19 restrictions during last year’s election campaign in the hearing indicted by a judge in Naypyitaw. Win Myint revealed the details story on the day of the 1 February coup, two senior army officers
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is pleased to welcome the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) from Malaysia and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) from the Philippines as new members of the ANFREL family. The ANFREL Executive Council during a special meeting on 5 October 2021
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is hosting two side events to the Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum 5 on 21 October 2021 at 3-4 p.m. (Bangkok time). The two parallel side events will discuss the democratic backsliding in Hong Kong and what the international community could do nine months since the
Panel discussions and speakers for the fifth Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF 5) was announced today, 13 October 2021. AESF 5, which will be hosted online this year on 20-21 October 2021, will hold four panel discussions on (1) addressing electoral challenges and democratic backsliding in Asia, (2) success stories of holding
Ousted leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi described as “all absurd” the testimony by the detained Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein against her. She has applied for hearings to take place every two weeks instead of weekly as her health has suffered from her frequent appearances at court. The defense
ANFREL and A-WEB are co-hosting this year's Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF) which will be conducted online on 20-21 October 2021. AESF is the largest gathering of electoral stakeholders in Asia. Working group meetings are being conducted ahead of the forum to discuss pressing electoral issues and devise solutions to address them.
The court trying ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her economic adviser Prof. Sean Turnell, and three Union ministers who have been charged under the Official Secrets Act have been moved to another venue within the Nay Pyi Taw Council compound with a limited number of lawyers allowed to attend. Phyo Min
The following is the August issue of ANFREL's Monthly Brief on Countries under Restrictive Environment that covers democracy and civil and political rights issues in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Hong Kong.
MARUAH, a human rights organization, hereby submits this statement on our concerns on the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill (FICA). Introduction We understand the need for governance on information and nature of expositions in a highly digitized world. Singapore is globalized which offers interconnectedness, swift operations and links across many sectors locally and
First published here MANDALUYONG CITY (Sept. 28, 2021) — The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) today, in a press briefing, laid out their planned activities for the 2022 National and Local Elections. NAMFREL said it aims to file this week with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) its Petition for Accreditation
Ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi pleaded ‘not guilty’ to incitement charges under Section 505b of the Penal Code According to her legal team and her economic adviser Sean Turnell, she appeared at the Dekkhinathiri District Court in Naypyitaw, along with three ousted Union ministers for the first time since their arrest
Every year, the International Day of Democracy is observed on September 15 to analyze the state of democracy across the world. This day plays an important role in highlighting the important role of parliaments, and to celebrate their capacity and mandate to deliver on justice, peace, development and human rights. Sri Lanka
The junta will put ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on a new trial on four charges of corruption beginning on Oct 1 in Naypyidaw, adding to the ongoing cases that could see her jailed for decades. The Special Court in Naypyidaw has set a date for the sentencing of three defendants,
Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) declared on 7 September a people’s “defensive war” against the junta, calling on all citizens to “revolt against the rule of military terrorists led by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in every corner of the country” and declared all of Myanmar to be under a state of
ASEAN's special envoy to Myanmar is in talks with the junta for his trip to Myanmar and seeking access to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He has proposed a 4-month ceasefire by all sides to enable the smooth delivery of the first batch of humanitarian assistance to the country. The National
The following is the August issue of ANFREL's Monthly Brief on Countries under Restrictive Environment that covers democracy and civil and political rights issues in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Hong Kong. Download here: Monthly Brief on Countries under Restrictive Environment - Series #5 (August 2021)
31 August 2021 | Press Release MANDALUYONG CITY (Aug. 31, 2021) — The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) today, in a press briefing, outlined several proposals to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to improve the efficiency and transparency of the country's Automated Elections System (AES). The proposals are part of
The Myanmar Military is preparing to file another lawsuit against deposed President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has lodged a complaint with the police station in Naypyidaw's Zabu Thiri township alleging that the two leaders were involved in corruption over new land plots
Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG) Vice President Duwa Lashi La said the date for the start of fighting (“D Day”) has been decided and they are preparing to fight for the protection of the lives and property of citizens. The date will be submitted to the NUG cabinet for a decision.
The undersigned organizations express their concern about the rapidly unfolding developments occurring in Afghanistan, including the entrance of Taliban troops in the capital Kabul on 15 August in violation of their February 2020 agreement with the government of the United States of America, the exile of President Ashraf Ghani, and growing numbers
