The Election Observer

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.

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.

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.

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 the rest of the population.While there has been progress in the visibility and acceptance of the members of the LGBTQIA+ community, they continue to face discrimination, harassment and lack of recognition of their rights and freedoms.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.

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 (ANFREL) discussed what preparations are being done for the next elections and the reforms that have been implemented to ensure electoral integrity in Bangladesh.Brac University School of Law Assistant Professor Md. Mostafa Hosain, ANFREL Senior Program Officer Tharindu Abeyrathna and Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) Secretary Badiul Majumdar are joined us in this episode.

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 Academy for Electoral Integrity.ANFREL is also a proud partner institution of the Global Service Internship Program of Tamkang University in Taiwan, a program which provides students an opportunity to expose themselves to the work of civil society organizations and engage in hands-on learning opportunities. In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, ANFREL talked to Prof. Cheng-Hao Pao, the dean of the College of International Affairs at Tamkang University and ANFREL interns under GSIP to talk about the program and the value of youth engagement in elections and democracy building.

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 podcast, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) invited Progressive Voice founder and chairperson Khin Ohmar to unpack the junta's planned elections in Myanmar.

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 issued three main calls for ASEAN including developing an ASEAN Framework on Democratic Governance, Electoral Integrity, and Rule of Law. “The Election Observer” podcast of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) discussed the emerging and pressing issues that undermine electoral integrity in Southeast Asia and the role of ASEAN in ensuring electoral integrity in the region.ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) executive director Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Perkumpulan untuk Pemilu dan Demokrasi (PERLUDEM) program officer Heroik Pratama and Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) junior program officer Alexa Yadao joined us in this episode.

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is preparing to observe the elections in the Philippines and is working to support the democratization in Bangladesh.Key elections in 2025 include the national and local elections and Bangsamoro parliamentary elections in the Philippines, the local council elections in Sri Lanka and the general election in Bangladesh. The military junta in Myanmar has also made pronouncements of holding elections later in 2025. Other anticipated elections include elections for the House of Councillors in Japan, the general election in Singapore and the Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong.In Episode 09 of "The Election Observer" podcast, ANFREL will discuss how election observation, capacity building and campaigns and advocacy efforts in countries holding elections in 2025 promote electoral integrity drawing lessons and best practices from the experience during the 2024 super election year and previous elections.

Proactive voter participation is among the key indicators of a vibrant democracy where effective voter and civic education programs play a key role. Episode 07 of "The Election Observer" podcast will discuss how voter and civic education programs contribute to making the electorate better informed towards ensuring electoral integrity.

After the campaign promises have been said, have your elected representatives kept their word? Parliamentary monitors are independent groups that conduct comprehensive review of the performance of the members of parliament. Episode 05 of "The Election Observer" podcast will discuss parliamentary monitoring approaches and the value of holding power to account.

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) will discuss the electoral reform prospects in Bangladesh amid calls for elections in an era of transition and transformation towards realizing the democratic aspirations post-authoritarian rule.ANFREL senior program officer Tharindu Abeyrathna and Dr. MD Abdul Alim of the Electoral Reform Commission of Bangladesh will speak in the new episode of The Election Observer.

The Asian Network for Free Elections or ANFREL is soft launching a new podcast series titled “The Election Observer”. The series will be inviting election observer groups and democracy advocates to discuss and provide insights about contemporary electoral issues and challenges in the region.The special pilot episode features ANFREL executive director Brizza Rosales who will discuss about ANFREL's international election observation mission to the 2024 Sri Lankan Parliamentary Elections. She will provide insights on the importance of election observation and the significant contribution of election observer groups to ensure electoral integrity and push for electoral reforms.