Asian Network for Free Elections [ANFREL] is a Bangkok – based regional network of election monitoring and human rights organizations whose general mandate and objectives is to support towards democratization in the Asian Region. It came about as a special project of Forum Asia and part of its campaign thrust addressing human rights and democratization issues in the region, starting from Burma, Indonesia, Cambodia and Malaysia. Formed in November 1997, ANFREL’s aim is to contribute to the democratization process by building capacities through training and supporting actual monitoring of elections by local groups, lobbying and dissemination election and democracy-related information.



In a period of four years, ANFREL has made significant contributions in the democratization process in the region. It is the first regional network that has embarked on this kind of work and has developed quite well in the process especially on specific lines of work such as election monitoring, training, research and advocacy. With this experience and the many challenges and demands in the region the need to institutionalize the work of ANFREL was realized during its First General Assembly last June 10, 1999.



ANFREL’s Mandate and Objectives



General: To support democratization efforts in the Asian region.



Specific: ANFREL is committed to supporting local groups initiatives on:



A. Election monitoring/pre-post election, referendum and local election and other democracy-related processes

B. Education and trainings on election and democracy-related studies

C. Research on election and democracy-related issues and cover electoral and democratic reforms

D. Conduct campaigns and advocacy work on issues related to democratic processes

E. Information dissemination and publication of materials related to election and other democratic processes

F. Creation of an environment conductive to a democratic development on the spirit of regional solidarity