The sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI) took place in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 6-7 December 2023. Almost 300 electoral stakeholders gathered to discuss electoral issues and challenges and identified best practices in addressing them. AESF-VI culminated with the signing of the "Kathmandu Declaration to Strengthen Democracy and Promote Electoral Integrity through Electoral
Over 200 electoral stakeholders representing Asian election management bodies (EMBs), election observer groups, think tanks, among others, are gathering in Kathmandu, Nepal from 6 to 7 December 2023 for the sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI). The Election Commission, Nepal (ECN) and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) are co-hosting AESF-VI,
Several ANFREL members were recently recognized for their election work and for championing freedom of information. The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) in the Philippines was one of the awardees during the 2023 FOI Awards which recognize government agencies, partners, individuals and civil society organizations that significantly contribute to the development
In recent events in Bangladesh, the political landscape has been marked by escalating tensions and crackdowns between the ruling Awami League (AL) and opposition parties, primarily the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The AL has pledged to resist what it perceives as 'anarchy' instigated by the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.1 Meanwhile, the Election Commission
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) participated in a panel discussion about the weaponization of law against press freedom in Southeast Asia on 2 November 2023. The panel discussion, hosted by the Press Freedom Monitoring in Southeast Asia coalition, was organized to commemorate the 2023 International Day to End Impunity for
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) filed a submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation in Cambodia ahead of the 46th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group. ANFREL's submission is based on the pre-election assessment missions it conducted during the 2022 Commune and Sangkat
The opening of the registration for the sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI) and the releasing of the final report on ANFREL's observation of the elections in Thailand and Timor-Leste were among the highlights of the third quarter of 2023. https://anfrel.org/aesf-vi-registration-opens/ ANFREL opened the registration for AESF-VI where various electoral stakeholders can
The registration for the sixth Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-VI) is now open. AESF-VI will take place in Kathmandu, Nepal on 6-7 December 2023. The online registration is a prerequisite for all those who wish to participate in AESF-VI. Due to limited slots and funding opportunities to support participant, however, the registration
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
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 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
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
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
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
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) welcomed a new batch of interns from Taiwan and Myanmar. Three students of the Department of Global Politics and Economics in Tamkang University will be with ANFREL for a month as interns under the Global Service Internship Program while an international relations and development student
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) extends its congratulations to the people of Timor-Leste, as well as the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) and the National Elections Commission (CNE) for successfully conducting the 2023 parliamentary elections that were marked by peace, genuineness, and transparency. For the 2023 Timor-Leste parliamentary elections,
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) members selected a new set of Executive Council officers and members during the General Assembly held in Bangkok, Thailand on 18 May 2023. The following are the new officers and members of the ANFREL Executive Council who will serve a three-year term: • Chairperson: Rohana
The people of Timor-Leste head to the polls for the 2023 Parliamentary Elections today, 21 May 2023. The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed five teams of international election observers to monitor the elections including polling and vote tabulation processes. ANFREL wishes the people of Timor-Leste safe and peaceful elections. This
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed five international election observers in Timor-Leste to monitor the 2023 Parliamentary Elections. The election observers have been interviewing various stakeholders and observing election-related activities including preparations and campaign rallies. On Election Day, 21 May 2023, ANFREL will observe polling and vote tabulation processes. This
On May 14, 2023, over 39 million Thai people headed to the polls in the country’s largest democratic exercise ever. We salute the strong turnout of around 75% in spite of extreme heat and sometimes heavy rain, and congratulate the Election Commission of Thailand for a peaceful and orderly Election Day that
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) expresses deep concern over the disqualification of the Candlelight Party from contesting in the upcoming general election in Cambodia scheduled for July 2023. This decision by the National Election Committee (NEC) further undermines the democratic process in the country and denies the Cambodian people’s right
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed 41 election observes across Thailand for the 2023 general election. ANFREL election observers, who are duly accredited by the Election Commission of Thailand, are monitoring the campaign period, advance voting, and preparations for the polls in 52 out of the 77 provinces in the
Download the open letter here: Open Letter: 413 Civil Society Call on Timor-Leste to Retract Invitation to Illegal 'Myanmar Election Agency' His Excellency Dr. Jose Ramos-HortaPresidentDemocratic Republic of Timor-Leste Open Letter: 413 civil society call on Timor-Leste to retract invitation to illegal “Myanmar Election Agency” 7 April 2023 Dear Mr. President: The
ANFREL trained leaders of domestic election observer groups in Thailand and Timor-Leste ahead of the upcoming elections, released the final report on the observation of the 2022 Nepalese elections, and concluded the second media fellowship on election reporting program during the first quarter of 2023. Some 35 leaders of election observer groups
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) trained 35 leaders of election observer groups in Timor-Leste in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The ANFREL ToT for Domestic Observers in Timor-Leste, held from 31 March to 1 April 2023 in Dili, sought to mentor the participants on training their members about election
Media Statement30 March 2023 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) strongly condemns the Myanmar junta’s mass dissolution of political parties in Myanmar, including the National League for Democracy (NLD), which has been at the forefront of democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar. The move by the junta is another blatant
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) organized a training of trainers workshop for national election monitoring groups in Thailand on 25-26 March 2023. Ahead of the upcoming general election, ANFREL gathered in Bangkok, Thailand about 40 leaders of election observer groups in Thailand to mentor them on training their members about