Press Statement: A referendum should be guided by a well-informed electorate, not short-term political expediency!

On 20 September 2023, the People’s Majlis passed a resolution to direct the Elections Commission to hold a public referendum by 30 October 2023, on changing the existing system of government. The resolution was approved by 35 members, following the approval of the resolution by the Committee of the Whole House. Following

BERSIH launches essay and video competition on democracy

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) launched an essay and video competition in conjunction with Malaysia Day and the International Day of Democracy. The public are invited to submit an essay or a video about the following: why democracy is important, most important reforms needed in Malaysia, and/or parliament as

Odhikar denounces the imprisonment of its Secretary and Director under the Information and Communication Technology Act

Dhaka, 14 September 2023: The Cyber Tribunal, Dhaka today has sentenced to two years imprisonment and Taka 10,000 fine each, to Odhikar’s Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and Director ASM Nasiruddin Elan for allegedly breaching Section 57 of the repressive Information and Communication Technology Act 2006. They were charged for releasing a report

LENTE’s Statement on COMELEC Exemptions of Government Programs for the 2023 Barangay and SK Elections

15 September 2023, Quezon City. LENTE strongly urges the public to be vigilant of the politicization of programs and other social welfare services in view of the COMELEC’s recent decision to exempt DOLE and DSWD programs from poll spending ban. These programs, based on LENTE’s on-going in-depth research and monitoring, have historically

Joint Statement: Quash conviction and release rights defenders in Bangladesh

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

Minister’s Taskforce and PSSC Proceeding on AG Separation are Welcomed Moves, but PM Must Publicly Declare Timeline for Separation by 2025

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (BERSIH) welcomes the establishment of two taskforce to expedite the separation of roles and powers between the attorney-general (AG) and public prosecutor (PP) by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said, as well as the proceedings called by

Transparency Maldives’ Interim Report on the 2023 Presidential Election

Transparency Maldives, in their interim statement on the 2023 Presidential Election, said the Election day processes went well but expressed some concerns about the election environment especially on abuse of state resources. Election Day The report indicated that the Election Day administration was well managed by the Elections Commission (EC). The opening

Transparency Maldives’ statement on the opening and closing of polls during 2023 Presidential Election

Transparency Maldives said in their initial observation statements that the 2023 Maldivian Presidential Election was generally peaceful and orderly. The opening procedure at polling stations went well with all polling stations open by 9 a.m. and 85% of polling stations open within the first 10 minutes of the required opening time. The

Official NAMFREL Statement on the Issues Raised on the Results of the 2022 National and Local Elections

NAMFREL is issuing this statement firstly, to clarify its position on the issues raised and, secondly, to give its point of view on the very serious allegation of fraud attending the 2022 National and Local Elections. As Bantay ng Bayan torchbearers, NAMFREL provides a thoughtful and objective analysis of the allegations as

UPDATE: AESF-VI to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal on Dec 6-7

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and co-host Election Commission, Nepal have decided to move the sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI) to 6-7 December 2023 in light of two big cultural and traditional events in Nepal. AESF-VI was first announced to be held on from 6-7 November 2023. Still in

ANFREL meets ECN for AESF-VI preps

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

2023 Presidential Election: Pre-Election Assessment

As Maldives is set to hold a presidential election on 9 September 2023, ANFREL member Transparency Maldives released their pre-election assessment to provide recommendations to mitigate challenges for holding free, fair, and credible election. The assessment report seeks to review the electoral legal framework, understand emerging challenges for holding a free and

2023 Thai General Election: Democracy at a Crossroads

Download the full report here: “2023 Thai General Election: Democracy at a Crossroads” The 2023 Thai General Election showed accountability, transparency and inclusiveness, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) said in their final election observation report released Tuesday, 15 August 2023. The election, held 14 May 2023, saw over 39 million

Ten years of extreme state repression on Odhikar

10th August marks ten years of extreme state repression on Odhikar. On 10 August 2013, Odhikar’s Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan was picked up by members of the Detective Branch (DB) of Police for publishing a report on extrajudicial killings, centering around the Hefazate Islam rally that took place on 5th and 6th

Another victory for democracy

The Speaker announces to the Parliament the Supreme Court decision on the petition against the amendment proposed to the Local Government Ordinance by Jayantha Katagoda MP. Today (8th August), the Speaker announced to the parliament the decision of the Supreme Court on the petition filed by PAFFREL and several other parties against

BERSIH and Astro Awani Launch the #VoteLokal #UndiLokal Campaign to Raise Voters Turnout for the Six State Elections

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (BERSIH), together with Astro Awani, is pleased to launch the #VoteLokal campaign for the upcoming six state elections (6PRN). The primary goal of the campaign is to raise voters turnout for the state elections. Historical data of state elections that are not held in conjunction

Call to Action on the 2025 Automated Election System in the Philippines

With the budget process for the 2025 Automated Election System (AES) scheduled to begin in July 2023 and procurement by 2024, the undersigned stakeholders call on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to adopt for the 2025 Automated Election System (AES) the standards of transparency, cost-effectiveness, accessibility and inclusivity,reliability, security, safety, and fairness,

Joint Statement on the Legitimacy of 2023 Cambodian General Election

22 July 2023. The undersigned organizations express our profound concern over the upcoming election for the National Assembly in Cambodia, scheduled to occur tomorrow. We firmly believe that this election is poised to lack genuineness and meaningful electoral competitiveness, raising serious doubts about its adherence to democratic principles and international election standards.

2023 Timor-Leste Parliamentary Elections: Celebrating Independence through Genuine Elections

The Asian Network for Free Elections said in their final comprehensive observation report on the 2023 Timor-Leste Parliamentary Elections that the polls were marked by peace, genuineness and transparency. ANFREL said the elections were participated by several political parties and saw a vibrant and peaceful election campaign environment with only a few

Thailand’s Military-Appointed Senators Must Vote Responsibly on Second PM Vote on 19 July — BERSIH

Press Release14 July 2023 BERSIH expresses our deep concern and disappointment that Mr Pita Limjaroenrat, whose coalition parties received more than 60% of party-list votes, is blocked by military-appointed Senators from becoming Prime Minister in the first vote. Such affront to the voice of the Thai people is irresponsible and is destabilising

ANFREL e-Bulletin (April-June 2023)

ANFREL released its interim statement and report on the 2023 Thai General Election and 2023 Timor-Leste Parliamentary Elections while ANFREL member organizations selected a new set of officers and members to the ANFREL Executive Council during the second quarter of 2023. ANFREL conducted international election observation missions to the recently concluded elections

Panel Discussion: Unveiling Human Rights and Democracy Challenges in 2023 Cambodia General Election

Human rights advocacy groups are hosting a panel discussion about the 2023 Cambodian General Election on Wednesday, 5 July 2023. The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and FORUM-ASIA will discuss the human rights and democracy challenges ahead of the general election in

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