The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) was established in 1997, as Asia’s first regional network of civil society organizations. It strives to promote and support democratization at national and regional levels in Asia. Since it was founded, it has served towards strengthening the democratization of countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, East Timor and Indonesia. ANFREL is supported by a number of national organizations from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and Thailand. From 1997 onwards until today, ANFREL, has also been active in contributing its efforts to capacity building of member and non-member organizations on issues related to election observation, voter/civic education, electoral reform and public awareness for good democratic governance. Research activities on electoral reform, democracy and good governance have been conducted jointly with civil society organizations in several countries. ANFREL has been active in organizing trainings and comparative study seminars of election laws in Asia. In November 1998 for instance, a seminar-workshop on the election laws in Indonesia was held, participated by election experts from selected Asian countries. The critique and the recommendations of the seminar-workshop were submitted to the Indonesia authorities for consideration in finalizing the election law. Apart from direct election observation programs, in ANFREL’s entire election observation mission to date, training (directly or indirectly to local organizations) has always been part of the primary objective of its mission. ANFREL believes that capacity building is one of the most important elements in democratization efforts. ANFREL hopes that these efforts will get continuous support from the international community for greater democratization efforts in Asia.Electoral process is one of the basic needs for the citizens of a country to enjoy their freedom in order to exercise their political rights in choosing representatives to organize and manage the country’s democratic political system. Because the relations between politics, economics and social justice are very close and tight, election thus plays a major role in determining the future direction of a country. ANFREL believes that the electoral system of a country must be co-ordinate and monitored carefully to assure the sovereignty of the processes, which shoulders its autonomous results.
1. ANFREL’s Vision
In the Asian region, “every State should be possessed of a government whose authority derives from the will of the people as expressed by secret ballot in genuine free and fair elections held at regular intervals on the basis of universal and equal suffrage.”
2. ANFREL’s Mission
To promote and support democratization at national and regional levels in Asia.
3. ANFREL’s Belief
ANFREL firmly believes that, “every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 (of ICCPR) and without unreasonable restrictions to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives; to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors; to have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country.” (Article 25, ICCPR)
4. ANFREL’s Aim
ANFREL aims to bring a peaceful change in local democratic functions and protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, which are consistent with the States’ obligations under the international law and do not violate the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, s*x, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, thru an impartial, neutral and transparent election observation mission spelling out the necessary recommendations to strengthen peoples participation and the democratic functions.
5. ANFREL’s Core Values
ANFREL firmly values the fact that, “everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.”
6. ANFREL’s Key Priorities
ANFREL is committed to the local initiatives with a regional perspective on: ? Election monitoring/pre-post election, referendum and local election and other democracy-related processes.? Education and trainings on election and democracy-related studies. ? Research on election and democracy-related issues and cover electoral and democratic reforms. ? Conduct campaigns and advocacy work on issues related to democratic processes. ? Information dissemination and publication of materials related to election and other democratic processes. ? Creation of an environment conductive to a democratic development on the spirit of regional solidarity.
7. ANFREL’s International Civil & Political Rights Benchmarks
ANFREL subscribes to the UDHR and the International Bill of Rights at all times. However, given the specific nature of its work, ANFREL strives to adhere to the following International Standard Benchmarks at all times, these are:? UDHR Article 21? ICCPR Article 25? Right to Vote? Voters Rights ? General Comment No. 25: The right to participate in public affairs, voting rights and the right of equal access to public service (Art. 25):. 12/07/96 CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.7, General Comment No. 25. (General Comments) ? UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/45/150, Enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections? Declaration on Criteria for Free and Fair Elections? Convention on the Political Rights of Women? Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers
8. ANFREL’s Free & Fair Standards of Genuine Elections
ANFREL Secretariat supports the “Declaration on Criteria for Free and Fair Elections”, unanimously adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Council at its 154 Session (Paris, 26 March 1994) and the Free and Fair elections criteria’s outlined.
9. ANFREL’s International Standards of Election Observation Missions
“International election observation is: the systematic, comprehensive and accurate gathering of information concerning the laws, processes and institutions related to the conduct of elections and other factors concerning the overall electoral environment; the impartial and professional analysis of such information; and the drawing of conclusions about the character of electoral processes based on the highest standards for accuracy of information and impartiality of analysis. International election observation should, when possible, offer recommendations for improving the integrity and effectiveness of electoral and related processes, while not interfering in and thus hindering such processes.”
