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 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
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
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
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
In Season 03 Episode 04 "The Election Observer" podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections discusses necessary institutional reforms and improvements in civil liberties towards empowered electoral and democratic participation and engagement of citizens. Joining us are Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, central chairperson of National Election Observation Committee and Mr. Pongsak Chan-on,
https://www.youtube.com/live/wNib_efvL7Q?si=vKrylQVW0YpRVrgt After the July 2024 uprising that toppled the regime of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and following pronouncements from the interim government that elections will be held, the election commission announced on 11 December 2025 that Bangladesh will hold elections on 12 February 2026. A total of 1,981 candidates are contesting 300
https://youtube.com/live/p_W_0JlCuTs?feature=share Myanmar’s military junta completed the first and second phases of its planned elections on 28 December 2025 and 11 January 2026, respectively. These phases form a central part of the junta’s effort to project political normalization following the 2021 coup. However, both phases were conducted amid ongoing armed conflict, mass displacement,
https://youtube.com/live/RkylEhvE4wg?feature=share The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) launched in 2025 the third iteration of its media fellowship program on reporting elections focused on the Myanmar Junta's staged elections. Since the military staged a coup in 2021 after the 2020 general election, the Myanmar junta is organizing elections in three phases: (1)
https://www.youtube.com/live/mUTVAwnKHx0?si=ZWC_boZQSHeoEgMo Amid the repressive electoral and political environment, the Myanmar military junta is proceeding with its planned elections in three phases later this year and early in 2026. With the current situation, ANFREL did not seek accreditation or engage with the junta-controlled election commission in Myanmar despite its previous efforts to support
Corruption and excesses of elected government officials are once again at the center of attention in several countries in Asia as public outrage continues to grow. In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) will discuss the power of the electorate beyond the ballot box
Corruption and excesses of elected government officials are once again at the center of attention in several countries in Asia as public outrage continues to grow. In Indonesia, mass protest actions erupted in late August 2025 against economic and political frustration and reports of parliamentarians receiving monthly housing allowance equivalent to 10
In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, we’ll discuss promoting inclusion and addressing societal inequality through LGBTQIA+ community representation and participation in politics, governance and public policy making. Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Equal Ground executive director and Cornelius Damar Hanung, FORUM-ASIA East Asia and ASEAN Programme Manager joined us for this episode. Stream
A diverse representation in politics and governance is important to ensure that every voice is heard and a wide range of issues are addressed. There are sectors, however, like the LGBTQIA+ community that continue to be underrepresented but whose issues and challenges are as equally important to be heard and addressed as
https://www.youtube.com/live/sE44vlLDqd0?feature=shared In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, the team at the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) reflected democracy and elections in Asia based on the experiences, lessons and insights they have picked up through their work. ANFREL Senior Program Officer Tharindu Abeyrathna, Senior Program Officer Manjesh Rana, Program Officer
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) works to push for the advancement of electoral democracy in Asia. As the foremost regional election observation group in Asia, ANFREL supports the democratization in the region through election observation, campaigns and advocacy, capacity building and fora, discussion and research on pressing electoral issues and
https://www.youtube.com/live/WSdUsPecCu4?feature=shared In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) discussed what preparations are being done for the next elections and the reforms that have been implemented to ensure electoral integrity in Bangladesh. Assistant Professor Md. Mostafa Hosain at the School of Law in Brac University,
All roads lead to the elections in Bangladesh. Interim government head of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus announced on 5 August 2025 that he will write to the Election Commission chief requesting to hold elections before Ramadan in February 2026. In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections
https://www.youtube.com/live/KoYJkbtpaRs?feature=shared The “Great Recall” in Taiwan has been considered as an unprecedented effort to recall sitting representatives in the national-level legislature with no other recall efforts worldwide having been recorded as extensive as what happened in Taiwan. In Season 2 Episode 6 of "The Election Observer" podcast, the Asian Network for Free
The “Great Recall” in Taiwan has been considered as an unprecedented effort to recall sitting representatives in the national-level legislature with no other recall efforts worldwide having been recorded as extensive as what happened in Taiwan. On 26 July 2025, recall votes were held for 24 members of the Legislative Yuan, all
https://www.youtube.com/live/6RM18xiyKUE?feature=shared Youth participation and engagement in elections and democracy building are important for the sustainability and growth of democracy. Believing and investing in the power of the youth and hopefully inspiring the young generation in engaging in elections, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has implemented youth-centered programs like the Asian
Youth participation and engagement in elections and democracy building are important for the sustainability and growth of democracy. When empowered, the youth can spark and demand societal changes and reforms in key institutions. However, data shows that the youth are less engaged in democratic processes as they increasingly distrust public institutions due
https://www.youtube.com/live/dPdDKRnZQvg?feature=shared In a special episode of The Election Observer, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) discusses monitoring social media during the 2025 national and local elections in the Philippines with colleagues and partners from The Carter Center. ANFREL executive director Brizza Rosales, data analyst Olivia Leu and program associate Dan Richardson
https://www.youtube.com/live/uzq6Xw7fPk8?feature=shared The military junta in Myanmar that staged a coup in 2021 after the 2020 general election is pushing to hold elections in the country by the end of 2025. In this episode of The Election Observer, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) invited . In this episode of "The Election
The military junta in Myanmar has been preparing to hold elections years after the military staged a coup in 2021. In Season 2 Episode 3 of The Election Observer podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections will unpack the junta's planned elections in Myanmar with Progressive Voice chairperson Khin Ohmar. Catch the
https://www.youtube.com/live/sUdQlHQ00cM?feature=shared Japan heads to the polls for the House of Councillors Elections on 20 July 2025. While Japan's electoral laws have been generally regarded as fair and well enforced, there are electoral issues that need to be addressed including low voter turnout, gender gap and representation, increasing public distrust on the government
Japan heads to the polls for the House of Councillor Elections on 20 July 2025. While Japan's electoral laws are generally regarded as fair and well enforced, there are electoral issues that need to be addressed including low voter turnout, gender gap and representation, increasing public distrust on the government and overall
https://www.youtube.com/live/aeukzbBI3Xs?feature=shared Civil society organizations and human rights defenders collectively expressed concerns over the undermining of electoral processes in Southeast Asia, among others, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Peoples @ ASEAN 2025 in May 2025. The convention coincided with the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and where the participants
Civil society organizations and human rights defenders collectively expressed concerns over the undermining of electoral processes in Southeast Asia, among others, during the ASEAN Peoples @ ASEAN 2025 in May 2025. The convention coincided with the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and where the participants issued three main calls for ASEAN