Advancing Electoral Democracy in Asia
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
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) welcomes the announcement by YB Dato' Seri Azalina Othman Said that the Cabinet has agreed to the enactment of the Political Financing Act. During her speech in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Azalina says that the Cabinet had referred seven policy parameters to the Parliamentary
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
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
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
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
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 Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) reminds the authorities that it is the constitutional right of the Rakyat to assemble peacefully as it is part and parcel of a functioning democracy. The police is duty-bound to uphold the Federal Constitution by facilitating such assemblies by ensuring the safety of participants
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, 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 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
First published on BERSIH's website on 7 September 2023. The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) welcomes the clarion call by the editorial of Berita Harian, New Straits Times, and Harian Metro to immediately put an end to incessant politicking by urging the component parties of the Unity Government and the
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
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
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) 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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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.
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
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
First published on CCW's website It has been over fifteen years since the last comprehensive revision of the “Political Donations Act” in Taiwan, and there are many legal loopholes that prevent the public from accurately tracking the flow of political donations. Citizen Congress Watch (CCW) has put forth four key areas for
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
ANFREL released its pre-election assessment mission report on the 2023 Cambodian General Election on 5 July 2023. ANFREL found that the elections scheduled for 23 July 2023 in Cambodia will continue to fall short of being free and fair. Read the executive summary of the report below: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Asian Network
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