The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) released today, 1 September 2026, the report of its pre-election assessment for the first BARMM Parliamentary Elections. Read the full report here: "ANFREL-NDI Pre-Election Assessment Report for the First BARMM Parliamentary Elections" Executive Summary After successive postponements, the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been utilized in several aspects of the elections with both positive and negative use cases. These use cases continue to expand, among them recently AI chatbots as a means for voters to identify the qualifications and platform of electoral candidates that match their interests, some even directly asking
ANFREL, NDI Release Pre-Campaign Statement ahead of First BARMM Parliamentary Elections The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) released a joint pre-campaign statement, seeing the First Regular Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parliamentary Elections (BPE) as an important milestone in regional governance. As the first
Overview ANFREL undertook the 2026 Tibet International Expert Election Observation Mission (TIEEOM) at a particularly important moment for democratic institutions and credible election observation more broadly. The mission provided an opportunity not only to independently assess the integrity of the electoral process, but also to document and support a democratic system sustained
In Bangladesh, two years after the July Uprising, Bangladesh's democratic transition has entered a decisive implementation phase. While the July National Charter continues to provide a shared framework for constitutional and institutional reform, political consensus on how those reforms should be implemented has begun to erode. Constitutional disagreements, the evolving role of
The Push for Electoral Reform, Accountability Across Asia Continues Member organizations of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) carried out a wide range of civic and advocacy initiatives across Asia throughout July 2026. Civic groups engaged directly with electoral authorities and legislative bodies to advocate for legal reforms and democratic safeguards.
PRE-CAMPAIGN STATEMENTCotabato City, July 30, 2026 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have concluded the first phase of their joint Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) ahead of the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parliamentary Elections (BPE) scheduled for September 14, 2026. The elections mark
In June 2026, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, and South Korea presented divergent but interlinked pictures of democratic governance under stress. In Bangladesh, the central democratic challenge during the post election period spread to be the growing gap between ambitious post-July reform commitments and their practical implementation. Nearly two years after the 2024 July
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) are deploying a joint Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) for the 14 September 2026 First Regular Parliamentary Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines – the region’s first parliamentary elections since the ratification of the Bangsamoro
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) 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
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
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
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
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
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), 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
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) underscores the significance for Myanmar and the broader region of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit taking place in Cebu, Philippines this week. As the Myanmar military authorities continue efforts to seek legitimacy following the military coup in 2021 and the subsequent illegitimate elections staged in December