Promoting Electoral Integrity in Southeast Asia: ANFREL and ASEAN

Introduction
This paper analyses the experience of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) in elections observation, in particular looking at the strengths and weaknesses of this regional civil-society led initiative in contributing towards the development of democracy in Asia. Meanwhile, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is considering carrying out elections observation missions in the future. This paper looks at the progress of democratization in Southeast Asia; what ASEAN might learn from ANFREL’s observation experience; and how official initiatives might complement civil society ones.