ANFREL

Mission in 2005

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Mission in 2007

The election to Thailand's House of Representatives on 23rd December 2007 was a landmark in many ways. After nearly 16 months of military rule, it restored democratic rule to the country. It was the first election held under a new Constitution which brought in widespread changes to the electoral system, and was regulated by new, stricter laws. After the dismissal of the previous team of ECT in 2006, the election was also the test for a new set of Commissioners who hoped to restore faith in the independence of the institution.

We should not have very high expectations that elections in Timor Leste's post conflict situation will be simple or be conducted smoothly. A tiny beautiful country with less than one million population struggled to organize elections for the first time and in the process many lessons were learnt by the Election Commission (CNE) and local organizations such as KOMEG and Women Caucus. All were aware of the difficulties in setting up systems for exercising their electoral rights at a time when society was still going through internal conflict. Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) congratulates its local partners, networks, trainees and the Timorese people for the high eighty two percent voter turn out. This report not only shows how people of Timor Leste voted for the April 9th Presidential Election but also shows how the electoral system makes it possible for the winner of the first round to lose to another person in the second round. ANFREL has also sent a second mission to observe the Parliamentary Election on 30th June, 2007.

Mission in 2006

The Pilkada (elections) of 11 December 2006

The tsunami was a tragedy for the people of Aceh. The magnitude of the loss of life has left the people with great grief. It also brought an unexpected end to the violence and a crucial change within Aceh. The international community's support is now very much needed to see that peace and democracy flourish in the region following the Helsinki Agreement. The Pilkada (elections) of 11 December 2006 have demonstrated that all difficulties can be overcome when the political will exists to restore normality, as happened in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam in Indonesia.

It was a valuable moment for ANFREL to be present when these elections were held in a free and fair manner. Observers witnessed crucial developments in this post-conflict situation, such as when all candidates came together to sign their names on a marble stone in front of the Baiturahman Grand Mosque, committing themselves to a peaceful contest. The message to the whole world was that there had been enough tears and bloodshed and now it was time for peace.

ANFREL is glad to present its observations here to the international community, along with the message that a lot more still needs to be done and a lot more support is needed. We thank the Finnish NGO Foundation for Human Rights (KIOS) for the support they provided us in undertaking this journey to Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.

Mission in 2005

General Election in Afghanistan 2005

ANFREL’s second and equally important mission in Afghanistan during the National Assembly and Provincial Council Elections in 2005 was an eye opener to observe the process of former warlords, mujahedin and ordinary citizens running for office. The presence of ANFREL’s 26 observers (Long-Term Observers and Short-Term Observers) in Afghanistan monitoring the processes during the run-up to the elections and during the post-elections period provided deeper insights into the events that unfolded around the elections, It is through this mission report that ANFREL once again shares the outcome and the developments of this important event for Afghanistan.

General Election in Thailand 2005

Increasing political liberalization has established a culture of democratic elections and parliamentary rule as an institutionalized part of political life in Thailand. In electoral terms, a new political benchmark was set with the unprecedented level of popular participation in the political reform process leading up to the promulgation of the 1997 Constitution. For the first time since the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy in 1932, Thailand has a constitution that recognizes that sovereign power belongs to the people, and that the bicameral parliament must be chosen only through a democratic electoral process. Although steps toward establishing the type of democracy envisioned by the 1997 Constitution were initially made with the holding of the first senatorial elections during the first half of 2000, it is clear today that a gap still exists between the ideals set out in the 1997 Constitution and actual practices in the electoral process.

General Election in Thiland 2005 (Karean language)

Mission in 2004

Afghanistan General Election 2004

In the last 30 years, the people of Afghanistan were detached from experincing elections as a process to pratice their political rights in choosing the representatives to orgaize and manage the country's democratic political system. Being the direct national election to be organized in Afghanistan, the Presidential Election had great imporyance in the history of the nation.

General Assembly Election and Presidential Election 2004

The 2004 Indonesia legislative election and Presidential election have seen remarkable positive advances in terms of human rights condition, comparing to the 1999 Indonesia Election. Generally, .ANFREL observed that politically motivate killing and intimidation in terms of voters decision making is almost inexistence. The progress to Indonesia democratic society should & an example to developing democratic nations. ANFREL observed that the expansion of the number of local civil society organizations have helped the progress of democracy in Indonesia It is important to note here that the tremendous efforts done by the Indonesian people in upholding democratic value are highly.

Taiwan General Election 2004

Mission in 2003

General Election in Cambodia 2003

The recently concluded parliamentary election is another significant step towards the democratization of Cambodia Significant improvements were made There was less violence, greater awareness by Votets of their rights increased participation by citizens, and a more efficient admintstration of the election by the National Election Commission Despite these improvements,.further democratic and good governance need to be initiated and institutionalized There is the need for the key political players to unite and work together in order fOr the country to move forward This is the challenge for the political leadership. Cambodian as well need to remember that there are no shortcuts to meaningful change and democracy can only be attained through faithful, persistent and unselfish citizen action ANFREL remains a committed partner of the Cambodian people in this effort.

Mission in 2002

Cambodia Commune Council Elections in 2002

ANFREL concluded that Cambodia has taken another step towards establishing democracy, but there remained much work to be done. Although the balloting on 3 February 2002 passed peacefully and without serious instances of violence, ANFREL stressed in this report that the assessment of electoral process was based on a single day of voting. Violence and corrupt campaign practices continued to be a significant feature of Cambodia electoral politics, particularly duringthe period that preceded the polling day. At the polls, ANFREL observed that officials generally followed proper procedures during the vote and counting.0

General Election in Pakistan in 2002

ANFREL sent a team of 42 long-term and short-term international observers from 11 Asian country to monitor the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly: elections in Pakistan, Although the Election Day passed off peacefully, except report of isolated violence in, ANFREL was deeply concerned by reports about misconducts during pre-election period. Some of these practices observed by ANFREL were serious enough to undermine the fairness of election and limit the legitimacy of genuine democratic transition in Pakistan. Intimidation of candidates, biased amendment of electoral framework and regulations, restrictive interpretations of campaign regulations and unbalanced media coverage, accusation of government acting in favor of certain parties or candidates etc. prohibited a fully free environment or equal opportunity.

Mission in 2001

East Timor Constituent Assembly Election on 2001

Against the backdrop of political violence that entailed the Popular Consultation in 1999, the people of East Timor showed their strong commitment to democracy and peaceful coexistence in the Constituent Assembly Elections on 30 August 2001. ANFREL dispatched a strong team of 26 international observers from 12 countries to monitor the historic elections that would lay a foundation for East Timor as an independent democratic nation. ANFREL found that East Timorese were ready and able to embrace democracy by voting peacefully and overwhelmingly to elect their representatives to write and adopt the constitution for the country. This report presents the findings of ANFREL observation missions during the Constituent Assembly Elections in East Timor and the recommendations regarding future support for democratization initiatives in thc new born country.

Bangladesh 8th Parliamentary Election in 2001

This 8fh Parliamentary Election was rated more disturbing than the previous elections in 1996 with reports of violence had intensified from about 500 reports of election-related killings and injuries to more than 2000 reports within a month toward the polling day. Such an increase was believed to be a result of the increasing polarization of political parties supporters and the diminished tolerance for different political opinions, which left no space for any reconciliation. Interestingly, Bangladesh's ordinary people seemed to have determined that they had suffered enough from intimidation and physical violence during the campaign period. With a high voter turnout of more than 70 percent on polling day, this could be a message sent to the political thugs that they were not afraid anymore.

New Politics in Thailand ANFREL election report in 2001

After Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai’s declaration of the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HOR) on 9 November 2000 was approved by the King, the Election Commission ECT prepared to announce a general election for members of the HOR, The polling day was eventually set on 6 January 2001 p 59 days after the dissolution of the HOR. This election was the first general election to be held since the promulgation of the 1997. Peoples Constitution. It was also the first time for Thai people to elect members of the HOR on a constituency basis and on a party list basis.With the apparent problem of repetitive elections experienced since the first senatorial election in April 2000, most of ANFREL missions in 2000 and the first half of 2001 had been focused primarily on Thailand.According to the I997Constitution, the Parliament comprises of sooelected members of the HOR and 200elected members of the Senate. But the senatorial election took place six times in the span of more than five months to complete the quorum of 200 members1 making it the longest election in Thai history and in Asia.

Mission in 1999

Democratization in Indonesia election report in 1999

Indonesia’s geopolitics since the end of Soeharto’s 32-year rule has significantly changed the Asia-Pacific region. The once ‘Big Brother’ of Asia buckled down to both domestic and inter-national pressure1 for immediate change of rule and eventual transition to democracy.

Malaysia General Election in 1999

East Timor A Triumph of the Human Sprint ANFRELl election report in 1999

The stories are many but the morale is the same, the people have shown a tremendous amount of courage In the midst of so much violence and atrocities. Behind this courage are two main strong determined streaks. One is to make the choice and determine the fate of their land and life. The other is the equally strong expectation that the International community in the form of the UN has finally come to help them In fulfilling their long Pasting dream and with the promise to be there for them regardless of the choice they make. People seemed determined to endure death and violence for the sake of the belief that their vote may finally redeem them and pave the way for a better life. The greatest lesson we can all learn from the vote in East Timor is that It is a testament to Aung San Suu Kyi’s statement that "the spirit of man can transcend the flaws of human nature".

Mission in 1998

General Election in Cambodia in 1998

The future of Cambodia depends primarily on how the political key players are able to put their acts together and how the international community is able to influence and exert pressure on major issues crucial to the country’s democratization process.
With a very fragile government composed of I opposing elements, forced by the ruling power to coalesce to comply with foreign donors’ requirements for international recognition and aid, and faced with a gigantic task of confronting its dark past. it would be difficult to tell if it would be able to manage effectively its task of keeping a nation intact from its broken past and keeping it going to move forward to create a new history.