The Election Observer

ANFREL - Asian Network for Free Elections

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"The Election Observer" is the flagship podcast series of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) which features election observer groups and democracy and human rights advocates to discuss and provide insights about contemporary electoral issues and challenges in Asia.

3 DAYS AGO

2026 Bangladesh Parliamentary Elections and Referendum

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.

1h 3m
21 JAN

Unpacking Myanmar's Junta-Planned Elections

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.

1h 16m
14 JAN

Reporting Myanmar Junta's 2025 Elections

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.

53 min
17/12/2025

Election Observation Under Myanmar’s 2025 Junta-Planned Elections

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.

1h 19m
11/09/2025

Public Outrage Against Corruption and Excesses of Elected Government Officials

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.

55 min
03/09/2025

Inclusion and LGBTQIA+ Representation in Public Policy Making and Governance

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.

39 min
27/08/2025

Reflections on Democracy and Elections in Asia

In this episode of The Election Observer podcast, the team at the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) reflected on democracy and elections in Asia based on the experiences, lessons and insights they have gained and picked up through their engagement with various electoral stakeholders in ANFREL programs and activities. ANFREL Senior Program Officer Tharindu Abeyrathna, Senior Program Officer Manjesh Rana, Program Officer Ayan Rahman Khan and Program Associate Afsana Anayat Amey joined us in this episode.

1h 8m
20/08/2025

Preparing for the Upcoming 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 (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.

1h 40m

"The Election Observer" is the flagship podcast series of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) which features election observer groups and democracy and human rights advocates to discuss and provide insights about contemporary electoral issues and challenges in Asia.

Creator

ANFREL - Asian Network for Free Elections
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

24
Rating

Clean
Copyright

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The Election Observer