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 electoral integrity, strengthen public trust, deter violence and intimidation, and uphold the right of citizens to freely participate in public affairs, as affirmed in the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD).

Across Southeast Asia, citizen observers continue to face harassment, restrictions, intimidation, surveillance, legal threats, and shrinking civic space simply for carrying out legitimate democratic work. These challenges underscore the urgent need for stronger regional recognition and protection mechanisms that affirm the legitimacy and importance of citizen election observation.

As ASEAN leaders gather in the Philippines for the 48th ASEAN Summit, the region has an important opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to people-oriented governance, democratic resilience, and credible electoral processes. ASEAN should take meaningful steps toward recognizing the essential role of citizen election observers in promoting transparency, accountability, peaceful political participation, and public confidence in elections.

Read the full statement here: