Advancing Electoral Democracy in Asia
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
ANFREL members stand up against rights restrictions, boost electoral literacy Member organizations of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) are continuously defending democracy across the region. While some challenge the restriction on civil rights, others lead creative initiatives to ensure that voters remain informed, engaged, and ready to cast their ballots
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) welcomed two new interns under the Global Service Internship Program of Tamkang University in Taiwan. GSIP interns Vivi and Alice participated in an internship orientation on Monday, 29 June 2026, where they were introduced to ANFREL's programs and activities. They will be with ANFREL for
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
Executive Summary The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), in partnership and coordination with the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), deployed the Tibet International Expert Election Observation Mission (TIEEOM) to observe and assess the 2026 elections for the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The mission examined the electoral process within the distinctive context of
Key Recommendations Ahead of the Bangkok Gubernatorial and Metropolitan Council Elections Overview On 28 June 2026, Bangkok voters will head to the polls to elect both the Governor of Bangkok and the 14th Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC). While public attention often focuses on the gubernatorial race, the BMC plays a critical role
Various forms of e-voting systems have been adopted in different jurisdictions in Asia like the Philippines and India. Other countries like Indonesia and Nepal have been looking into e-voting systems, particularly online voting for overseas voters. In this episode of “The Election Observer” podcast, ANFREL will discuss key considerations, factors and risks
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) will launch the final election observation report on the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Elections on Tuesday, 30 June 2026 via Zoom at 9:00 AM (Bangkok time). ANFREL, in coordination with the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), deployed an independent International Expert Election Observation Mission (IEEOM) to
The recent elections in Bangladesh, Nepal and South Korea showed the online mis- and disinformation as persistent fixtures in the electoral environment. Monitoring efforts also showed that gender-based attacks and violence online continued to affect women’s participation and engagement in elections. As prevalent as they are, however, the policies to address the
ANFREL elects new EC officers for 2026-2029 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) wrapped up an intensive second quarter for 2026, marked by back-to-back international observation missions, critical post-election advocacy, and a transition in organizational leadership during its General Assembly. ANFREL’s activities from April to June 2026 echoed civil society's enduring
Power and Protection in Asian Elections There is a collective struggle to challenge power structures that shut out ordinary citizens and democracy in Asia. Elections monitoring groups are drawing a direct line between the concentration of political power and the rising danger they face as watchdogs. Democratic watchdog organizations in Asia issued
The shortage of ballot papers in the recently concluded local elections in South Korea that has led to doubts in the electoral process with people calling for a redo of the elections puts a spotlight on the value of sufficient preparations and sound voter experience. Similar and parallel incidents in elections in
A HOLLOW VICTORY: Why HB 8389 Falls Short of a Genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law A Step Forward - But Not Enough The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) acknowledges the historic passage of House Bill No. 8389, or the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, by the House of Representatives. For the first time
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has been monitoring electoral developments and the state of democracy in key areas in Asia where actions to push back against democratic backsliding have been noted. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, ANFREL deployed international election observation missions to elections in Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal
Executive Summary On 8 February 2026, Thailand reached a significant political milestone as voters simultaneously participated in a general election and a constitutional referendum for the first time in the country’s history. The elections produced a government with the strongest electoral mandate since the 2014 military coup and marked the first parliamentary
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) convened the general assembly on 6 June 2026 and elected a new set of Executive Council members and officers. ANFREL members convened in Bangkok, Thailand where the ANFREL Executive Council shared their accomplishments during their three-year term. The ANFREL Secretariat also shared ANFREL's programs and
Overview This issue of Data Dive is based on the findings and recommendations of ANFREL’s International Election Observation Mission for Bangladesh’s 2026 Parliamentary Elections and Referendum. In January 2026, ANFREL deployed an international election observation mission following over a year of engagement in strengthening citizen observer groups in Bangladesh, as well as
Electoral integrity cannot be achieved by a single organization acting in isolation. Lessons on strategic collaboration and cross-sectoral alliances are what the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) hopes to share with the region to the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF-VII). In an interview, PPCRV Executive Director Maribel Buenaobra highlighted
Overview This issue of Data Dive is based on ANFREL’s recently released Final Comprehensive Mission Report on Nepal’s 2026 House of Representatives Elections, titled Rebuilding Trust, Restoring Credibility: Accountability and Electoral Integrity in Nepal 2026. The report was launched during ANFREL’s Post-Election Discussion with Electoral Stakeholders in Kathmandu on 13 May 2026.
The Southeast Asian region, particularly the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is at a crossroads as to how it could handle the changing geopolitical environment, reinforce democratic norms and values while maintaining its non-interference principle. With elections coming up in the Philippines this year and a new cycle of elections for
From mobilizing hundreds of thousands of citizens on the ground to deploying cutting-edge mobile apps, the evolution of election monitoring tells a powerful story of civic duty matching pace with modern technology. Ahead of the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF-VII) in Manila, we talked to the National Citizens' Movement for Free
Two bills1 recently filed in the Bangsamoro Parliament seek to strip the Bangsamoro Electoral Code and the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code of their anti-dynasty provisions. These bills must be rejected. The 1987 Constitution, under Section 26, Article II, does not state that only Congress may define and regulate political dynasties. Rather, it
Final Report for the 2026 Bangladesh Parliamentary Election and Referendum Executive Summary The 2026 Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections and Referendum took place in a context shaped by the July 2024 youth-led uprising and amid heightened public scrutiny of state institutions. Against that backdrop, ANFREL observed an Election Day environment that was generally peaceful,
A collective stand for electoral integrity From the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) to its members across the region, democracy’s heartbeat is present in the relentless vigilance of its observers. In the Maldives, the month began with a ‘triple test’ on 4 April, when voters navigated simultaneous polls for local councils,
For the first time, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed an independent international expert election observation mission to Tibetan settlements in India to assess the conduct and integrity of the 2026 elections for the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE). Season 3 Episode 6 of The Election Observer podcast, sheds light on
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) launched on 13 May 2026 the final report on its observation of the 2026 House of Representatives Elections in Nepal. ANFREL hosted a post-election discussion with various electoral stakeholders in the country to present the key findings of the international election observation mission in Nepal
Final Assessment Mission Report: 2026 House of Representatives Elections in Nepal The March 2026 House of Representatives elections in Nepal were held in the aftermath of a profound political crisis triggered by the 2025 youth-led uprising. What began as protests against a social media ban rapidly evolved into a broader movement demanding
Election day is often seen as the climax of democracy, but for the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), the real work happens in the systems and structures built long before the first ballot is cast. In a recent discussion with LENTE Executive Director Atty. Ona Caritos, the organization outlined the critical
In the second part of the discussion on empowering citizen engagement and participation in elections and democracy, we'll talk with seasoned electoral analysts who have observed elections in Asia. Joining us in this episode are Jyoti Mishra, assistant professor at Amity University Punjab and Atty. Ona Caritos, the executive director of 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.