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As we anticipate the next AESF, we’re hosting a mini-series within a series here at “The Election Observer” podcast to discuss how AESF has served as a platform for dialogue and peer learning and finding common ground in advancing electoral democracy in Asia. In this episode, we’ll try to map out what progress we have made in advancing electoral democracy, what recurring electoral issues need immediate attention and what are the emerging electoral issues that we need to take into serious account.Joining us are ANFREL program officer for governance and electoral reforms Ayan Rahman Khan, ANFREL senior program officer for international election observation Manjesh Rana, and ANFREL senior program officer for campaigns and advocacy Tharindu Abeyrathna.

The year 2025 was supposed to be a super election year for the Philippines with the national and local midterm elections in May, the first regular Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections in October, and the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in December. The BARMM elections and BSKE, however, were postponed to 2026. The BARMM elections took place on 14 September 2026 after a series of postponements. The BSKE, scheduled for 2 November 2026, was postponed. On 25 September 2026, Philippine president Bongbong Marcos signed into law Republic Act No. 12326 which sets the term of barangay officials to five years, consequentially postponing the elections to November 2028.In Season 04 Episode 02 of “The Election Observer” podcast, ANFREL will discuss the repercussions of postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in the Philippines and how that impacts governance and the people’s right to suffrage. Joining us in this episode are Atty Izah Katrina Reyes, policy consultant at the Legal Network for Truthful Elections and Mr. Miguel Karlo Abadines, executive director of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) launched a framework for monitoring campaign and political finance during the "Political Finance Transparency and Oversight International Roundtable" in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.The report "Citizen Monitoring of Political and Campaign Finance in Asia: A Framework for Action" examines how civil society organizations (CSOs) monitor political and campaign finance in India, Indonesia, Mongolia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.In Season 04 Episode 01 of “The Election Observer” podcast, ANFREL will discuss what lessons can be learned from the challenges identified from the country-specific case studies, the good practices that can be adopted, and how to apply the framework in monitoring political and electoral campaign finance. Joining us in this episode are Atty. Carlo Gino Africa, executive director of Hiraya, and Ayan Rahman Khan, program officer at ANFREL.

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 in deploying and implementing e-voting systems. Joining us in this episode is Philippine Commission on Elections Office for Overseas Voting director Atty. Ian Michel G. Geonanga and Brigadier General Dr. Saleem Ahmad Khan (Retired), the Team Leader of Bangladesh Election Commission’s Out of Country Voting System Development & Implementation Project.

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 Asia have been unfortunately observed that have raised doubts about the integrity of the electoral process and contributed to voter disenfranchisement. These issues include delays in the delivery of election paraphernalia, poor queue management, malfunctioning vote counting machines where electronic voting systems are in place, accessibility issues of polling stations and ballot secrecy concerns. In this episode of “The Election Observer” podcast, ANFREL will discuss the importance of sufficient preparations in improving the voter’s experience on Election Day towards building public confidence and trust in the electoral process.Joining us in this episode are Transparency Maldives executive director Aishath Rizna and PERLUDEM executive director Heroik Mutaqin Pratama.

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 and the elections of Tibetan diaspora communities in India. These elections have offered lessons about the challenges that electoral stakeholders continue to face in upholding electoral integrity but more importantly, most of them displayed glimmers of hope and resilience towards democratic consolidation. Throughout ANFREL’s engagements with these elections, we’ve invited guests on the show that have provided valuable insights on the democratization processes in these countries and lessons the recent electoral exercises offered towards regional standard setting and democratic norms building as well as national cooperation and collaboration among various electoral stakeholders. In this episode of “The Election Observer” podcast, we are turning the tables as we talk to people behind the scenes where they share anecdotes and reflections on these recent engagements through a lighthearted conversation.

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 other countries in the region in the coming years, this episode of “The Election Observer” podcast, seeks to identify lessons from the recent developments in the elections in the region and how regional efforts could be consolidated to redirect the region’s democratic transformation amid the trend of democratic regression.In this episode of "The Election Observer" podcast, ANFREL will discuss lessons from elections in Southeast Asia and the role ASEAN could play in ensuring electoral integrity in the region.

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 plight of the Tibetan diaspora community in pursuit of self determination. Joining us in this episode are Majesh Rana, ANFREL senior program officer for IEOM, and Bhuching K. Tsering, research and monitoring unit head of International Campaign for Tibet.

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 of "The Election Observer" podcast are Jyoti Mishra, assistant professor at Amity University Punjab, Atty. Ona Caritos, the executive director of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections and Asanka Senadeera, Senior Project Officer of PAFFREL.

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 the National Election Observation Committee in Nepal and Mr. Pongsak Chan-on, director of We Watch in Thailand.

Bangladesh is set to hold parliamentary elections and referendum on 12 February 2026. With the upcoming elections marking the first competitive national vote in 15 years, civic spaces and opportunities for independent assessment of the elections are opening up.In this episode of "The Election Observer" podcast, we’ll discuss the central issues that are shaping the electoral environment in Bangladesh and review key areas of the elections drawing from ANFREL's pre-election assessment as ANFREL prepares to observe the upcoming elections. ANFREL senior program officer for campaigns and advocacy Tharindu Abeyrathna and 2026 Bangladesh Elections IEOM electoral analysts Asanka Senadeera and Carlo Africa joined us in this episode.

Amid the ongoing armed conflict, human rights violations and restrictive environment, the military junta in Myanmar proceeded with their planned elections since they staged a coup in 2021 after the 2020 general elections. Staged in three phases – first on 28 December 2025, second 11 January 2026 – the third phase will take place this Sunday, 25 January 2026. It came as no surprise when the military backed Union Solidarity and Development Party claimed most seats winning 182 seats after the first and second phases of the staged elections. For context: Across the different parliamentary levels, USDP only won 71 seats while Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won 920 seats during the 2020 elections, according to an ANFREL report. After the new Political Parties Registration Law was enacted in January 2023, NLD has since been banned.  The current staged elections have been characterized by low voter turnout and reports of intimidation amid tightened security. In the lead up to the staged elections, those who oppose the elections have been met with harsh punishment under the new Law on the Protection of Elections from Interference and Disruption. Throughout these phases, voting was limited to selected areas under military control, while large parts of the country, particularly conflict-affected and ethnic regions, were excluded. As we mentioned, political parties operated under restrictive registration laws, voters faced coercion and legal uncertainty, and the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) continued without transparency, independent verification, or public education. At the same time, the junta tightly managed narratives around turnout, security, and legitimacy, while restricting independent observation and media access. In this episode of "The Election Observer" podcast, we’ll discuss more about the military junta staged elections in Myanmar and gather insights from organizations monitoring the situation in the country.

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) 28 December 2025, (2) 11 January 2026, and (3) 25 January 2026. The elections are being staged amid ongoing armed conflict, human rights violations and restrictive electoral environment. First launched in 2022, ANFREL's Media Fellowship Program on Election Reporting equips journalists from independent news outlets and freelance journalists in empowering the electorate through crucial reporting of underrepresented voices and underreported issues during elections. With the theme "Narratives and Voices in Myanmar's Democratic Struggle", the third ANFREL Media Fellowship on Election Reporting shed light on the plight of the people of Myanmar amid the junta-planned elections. In Season 3 Episode 01 of The Election Observer podcast, ANFREL talks to the media fellows on reporting the Myanmar junta's staged elections and the challenges they faced in shedding light on what's happening in Myanmar. Journalists and ANFREL media fellows Nathaphob Sungkate from Thailand and Tarushi Aswani from India are joining us in this episode.

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, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) did not seek accreditation or engage with the junta-controlled election commission in Myanmar despite its previous efforts to support the democratization process. Other independent international election monitoring organizations are also not observing the elections.This special "The Election Observation" podcast episode discussed the current situation in Myanmar and the realities of election observation under military rule.

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 to demand accountability against erring elected public officials and drive change through collective action. Sankhitha Gunaratne, head of governance and anti-corruption and deputy director at Verité Research and Egi Primayogha, advocacy coordinator at the Indonesia Corruption Watch are joining us in this episode.