ANFREL E-BULLETIN ANFREL E-Bulletin Is ANFREL’S Quarterly Publication Issued As Part of the Asian Republic of Electoral Resource Center (AERC) Program

Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

E-BULLETIN

The Dili Indicators are a practical distilla- voting related information to enable better 2015 Asian Electoral tion of the Bangkok Declaration for Free informed choices by voters. Stakeholder Forum and Fair Elections, the set of principles endorsed at the 2012 meeting of the Participants were also honored to hear Draws Much Needed AES Forum. The Indicators provide a from some of the most distinguished practical starting point to assess the and influential leaders of Timor-Leste’s Attention to Electoral quality and integrity of elections across young democracy. The President of the region. Timor-Leste, José Maria Vasconcelos Challenges in Asia A.K.A “Taur Matan Ruak”, opened the More than 120 representatives from twen- Forum, while Nobel Laureate Dr. Jose The 2nd Asian Electoral Stakeholder ty-seven countries came together to share Ramos-Jorta, Founder of the State Dr. ANFREL ACTIVITIES ANFREL Forum came to a successful close on their expertise and focus attention on the Marí Bim Hamude Alkatiri, and the coun- March 19 after two days of substantive most persistent challenges to elections in try’s 1st president after independence discussions and information sharing the region. Participants were primarily and Founder of the State Kay Rala 1 among representatives of Election from Asia, but there were also participants Xanana Gusmão also addressed the Management Bodies and Civil Society from many of the countries of the Commu- attendees. Each shared the wisdom Organizations (CSOs). nity of Portuguese Speaking Countries gained from their years of trying to (CPLP). The AES Forum offered represen- consolidate Timorese electoral democ- Coming two years after the inaugural tatives from Electoral Management Bodies racy. meeting of the AES Forum, this year’s and Civil Society a chance to come togeth- co-hosts, the National Election Commis- er to discuss the most pressing challenges At the conclusion, the sponsors sion of Timor-Leste(CNE) and the Asian to elections in the region. Among the expressed the hope that this year’s AES Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), topics discussed were methods to advance Forum would serve as a springboard for expressed appreciation for the sustained the inclusion of women, minorities, and enhanced knowledge and greater dedication and enthusiasm of all partici- disabled persons in countries where they understanding and cooperation pants. During the Forum’s two days, face challenges to full participation in between EMBs and CSOs, thereby participants reaffirmed their shared political life, voting methods for overseas strengthening efforts to deliver the commitment to improve the quality of workers, campaign finance best practices quality elections that their citizens so elections in the region, most visibly and monitoring, electoral dispute resolu- badly deserve. through the release of the Dili Indicators tion, and new technologies for voting, of Democratic Elections. voter education, and providing more Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

Moon Sehat. The signing was held in data collection and reporting system, Dili, just prior to the AES Forum. ANFREL built specifically with election monitor- and the Carter Center agreed to collabo- ing in mind. Equipped with ELMO, rate on ELection MOnitoring (ELMO) observers can submit evaluations of a Data Collection and Analysis Software process – via tablets (utilizing Open Data System. Mr. Simao Lopes, Public Kit), SMS, or directly online – in real-time Relations Officer of Timor Leste’s to mission headquarters. ELMO’s report- Election Commission (CNE), also a ing system organizes observer findings member of civil society organization and is relied upon by Carter Center Women Caucus, witnessed the signing. missions around the globe to analyze Members of the ANFREL secretariat and data and to assess elections as well as Carter Center intern Ms. Francesca broader political processes. Gilmore were also present during the ANFREL signs MoU with signing. The “Open ELMO' initiative aims to build the Carter Center and a system optimized for elections and Immediately after the signing, the other human rights-related observation Participates in ELMO Carter Center team facilitated training activities in a collaborative, open- on ELMO for ANFREL staff. The training source, and sustainable way. Training introduced the features of ELMO, how it functions, and how it can be used ANFREL’s partnership with TCC is seen On 13 March 2015, ANFREL, represent- during an election observation mission as a great opportunity to collaborate on ed by its Executive Director, Mr. Ichal and in other activities that require data strengthening electoral democracy in Supriadi, signed a Memorandum of collection. ELMO was developed by the Asia through the use of Information Understanding (MoU) with The Carter Carter Center and has been used in a Technology (IT) tools. For more infor- Center, represented by its Democracy number of election monitoring missions mation on Open ELMO Project, please Program Associate Director, Ms. Connie since 2011. ELMO is an open-source visit http://getelmo.org.

coalition comprised of disabled persons the Rights of Persons with Disabilities organizations (DPOs), election monitor- (CRPD) and the Incheon Strategy to ing groups, and the International Foun- “Make the Right Real.” dation for Electoral Systems (IFES). On the ﬁnal day of the conference, The third Regional Dialogue on Access participants agreed to the Jakarta to Elections brought together more Addendum 2015, which reafﬁrms the

than 200 representatives from DPOs, Bali Commitments established at the ACTIVITIES ANFREL election management bodies, govern- close of the 2nd Regional Dialogue in ments, media, and international organi- November 2012. In turn, the Bali zations to facilitate an exchange of ideas Commitments supported the interna- 2 The Third Regional and best practices on strengthening tional frameworks on human rights – Dialogue on Access to equal access to political and electoral the Universal Declaration of Human rights for persons with disabilities. Rights, the International Covenant on Elections is Held in Civil and Political Rights and the Jakarta Participants from more than 25 coun- Convention of the Rights of Persons tries across Southeast Asia and beyond with Disabilities (CRPD) – as the legal ANFREL Executive DirectorIchal Supriadi joined expert panelists and presenters basis for the fulﬁllment of the rights of attended the Third Regional Dialogue on to explore emerging themes related to persons with disabilities. The partici- Access to Elections in Jakarta from Janu- making the electoral process accessible, pants held a community discussion on ary 28-29, 2015. The two-day confer- such as the need for increasing the Jakarta Addendum to address ence was co-hosted by the General outreach to youth with disabilities, overlapping forms of marginalization, an Election Network for Disability Access collaborating with media for greater effort to further support persons with (AGENDA), the Association of World representation in election coverage, and disabilities who belong to more than one Election Bodies (A-WEB), and the Gener- strategies for improving implementation marginalized group, such as women with al Election Commission of Indonesia of key international and regional disabilities. The Jakarta Addendum is (KPU). AGENDA is a Southeast Asian policies, such as the U.N. Convention on enclosed with this E-Bulletin. Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

Workshop on Electoral Processes and Election Observation at Mahidol University,Bangkok, Thailand

A workshop was held on January 7, 2015 it would prepare them to serve as ANFREL resource persons highlighted at Mahidol University for students and student volunteers and election moni- the principles and values enshrined in scholars from different countries across tors. This initiative was conceptualized the Bangkok Declaration onFree and the globe. It was part of a renewed as part of ANFREL’s Asian Electoral Fair Elections and reiterated the impor- emphasis on building the capacities of Resource Centre (AERC) project as part tance of upholding the principles of citizen election observer groups and of its capacity building unit. universal suffrage and the need for developing knowhow among students regular and periodic elections and equal and youths about the importance of The workshop was designed in recogni- opportunities for all contesting political holding genuine and democratic tion of the importance of arming parties and candidates, as well as the elections as part of the democratization students and youths with tools and necessity of fair access to the media and process. knowledge on the electoral process, an independent electoral process. election monitoring and reporting on The workshop was part of ANFREL’s the management and conduct of ANFREL Myanmar Country Representa- commitment to promote capacity build- elections. Students at different times in tive Bidhayak Das, who is also a facilita- ing among students in colleges and their careers can function as election tor on election training, conducted the universities. ANFREL hopes that the monitors and media reporters to help workshop. knowledge thereby imparted would help ensure that elections are free, fair and students in their academic pursuits on transparent and that ofﬁcial results democracy studies and, moreover, that accurately reﬂect the choices of the voters. ANFREL ACTIVITIES ANFREL

3 ANFREL Launches Election Monitoring Handbook in Myanmar

ANFREL Myanmar released an Election Monitoring Manual to assist both the media and civil society in Myanmar in monitoring and reporting about management and conduct of elections while maintaining the principles of transparency and accountability. The manual was prepared as part of ANREL's efforts to promote democracy in Asia wherever it undertakes an election observation mission or engages with

electoral stakeholders on capacity building. ANFREL hopes that the manual will MYANMAR IN ANFREL enhance the strengthening of democratic norms in Asia.

The manual provides the basic information required for election observers to function competently. Included in the manual are discussions of election monitoring methodologies employed by citizen observer groups in almost any election. Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

EOM: Sri Lanka Presidential Election 2015: “A Triumph of the People”

Following the January 8, 2015 presidential election, ANFREL congratulated the people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for their commitment to strengthen democracy by participating in the 2015 Presidential Election. ANFREL also commended the Department of Elections for showing professionalism and commitment in administering the election while maintaining transparency, accountability, and fairness despite the challenges and limitations it faced. ANFREL further extended its appreciation to the nation- groups that contended that public funds institute campaign finance regulations, al monitoring organizations for their and the government bureaucracy had ensure freedom of the media, and work to uphold the sanctity of the vote. been misused to serve the governing strengthen regulations over the misuse The joint efforts of all stakeholders party's campaign. Furthermore, ANFREL of state resources. These key elements fostered an environment conducive to noted unequal access to media, with the are absent from the current election the strong voter turnout witnessed on 8 then-ruling party receiving dispropor- law”, said ANFREL’s Mission Head January. tionate air time on both public and Damaso Magbual. private channels. After analyzing the reports of our 35 During the mission, ANFREL worked in international election observers ANFREL also reported on an environ- 24 districts in Sri Lanka, assessing 250 deployed across the country, ANFREL ment of fear in different provinces subdivision villages and visited, said it was confident that the election including Eastern, North Western, and and/or interviewed more than 500 was held in a largely peaceful manner. Northern provinces where voters electoral stakeholders including election ACTIVITIES ANFREL ANFREL observers witnessed a smooth expressed some hesitation in expressing officials, five presidential candidates and transparent polling and counting their opinions about the electoral (including representatives of the then- process with only isolated irregularities process. Vandalism of party offices and incumbent, the Secretary General of the 4 and violence. However, ANFREL said it private property as well as assaults on SLFP, 6 ministers and senior ministers), remained concerned with respect to the party workers and supporters were also and the opposition’s common candi- principles of fairness and free and fair serious concerns, aswas an atmosphere date, elections monitoring groups, elections, in particular, in regard to the of intimidation against civil society government officials, civil society misuse and abuse of state resources and members. ANFREL called for all such organizations, religious leaders, the absence of a level playing field incidents to be investigated and perpe- academics, community leaders, youth among contending parties. trators to be prosecuted equally accord- organizations, and women’s groups. ing to existing Sri Lankan law. On Election Day itself, the mission ANFREL observed several incidents of observed at 213 polling centers, with misuse of public property such as the “ANFREL urges Sri Lanka to enact and had a total of 316 polling stations use of public buses to transport people enforce adequate electoral laws includ- (booths), and the mission then moni- to campaign rallies. Similar concerns ing measures to level the playing field, tored the counting process at 24 were highlighted by national monitoring empower the Department of Elections, counting centers on January 8 and 9. Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

The Dili Conference is a classic example The Dili Conference, of what can be accomplished when an EMB and a CSO work together. The a Pioneering Asian National Electoral Commission Effort (Comissão Nacional de Eleições ) of Timor Leste and ANFREL planned, funded, organized and implemented the The Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum activity solely on their own without the (AESF) was initiated in the belief that a help of foreign resources or expertise. successful election is the result of The two past presidents of the republic collaborative and cooperative efforts of who spoke to the group took pride in various political actors with different the CNE’s effort to take the lead in an roles to play. Hence, the words of Dr. undertaking worth emulating by the Shamsul Huda, Chief Election Commis- others. We share this pride! sioner of Bangladesh (2008 election) that “The election commission alone I thank the government of Timor Leste Damaso G. Magbual cannot ensure the success of an particularly CNE for their hosting of the Chairperson, Asian Network for election”. Each stakeholder then shares conference. We appreciate the presence Free Elections in the responsibility as well as in the and active participation of the EMBs accountability to bring about a success- from the different countries, some ful election. coming from as far as Africa. We are grateful for the support of the ANFREL During the forum in Dili, Timor Leste, members as well the other CSO heads one of the resource speakers noted the and members. I highly commend the prevalence of mistrust between election ANFREL Staff from Bangkok, management bodies (EMBs) and civil led by the Executive Director, for the Stakeholders society organizations (CSOs). The EMBs hard work they did to make the confer-

think the CSOs are out to ﬁnd faults ence a resounding success. CHAIRPERSON ANFREL FROM MESSAGE have to work while the CSOs suspect the EMBs are vent on manipulating the elec- Dili, Timor Leste will be remembered as tion results. Through the Forum, the birthplace of the ﬁrst Asian effort to 5 hand in hand ANFREL aims to be a catalyst to bring come out with a set of indicators to together the different players of the assess and evaluate elections in Asia to make elections electoral process to appreciate their pursuant to the principles enshrined in respective roles while they admit their the Bangkok Declaration. interdependence to bring about a successful successful election. The Forum ANFREL is greatly inspired by the inter- highlights the commonality of values est of some participants to co-host the and goals between the EMBs and the next conference. CSOs so that elections are legitimate, binding, and acceptable to all. See you all in the AESF 3! Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

Sri Lanka: March 12 Declaration

In Sri Lanka, ANFREL’s member organization People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) took the lead in fashioning a historical achievement in the country’s political history.

PAFFREL initiated efforts to forge an agreement among parties across the political spectrum on criteria for selecting candidates for elections. The draft- ing of a declaration is part of the endeavor to transform the political culture in Sri Lanka. Representatives of The criteria for candidate selection are 5. Should not be a person who has political parties, both from the govern- as follows. A candidate: abused or misused political power. ment and from the opposition, including the Prime Minister and the Leader of 1. Should not be a person who has served a 6. Should not be a person who has Opposition, gathered at the Bandara- jail sentence for a crime or a person who has entered into ﬁnancial agreements preju- naike Memorial International Confer- received a suspended sentence. dicial to the country before becoming a ence Hall in Sri Lanka’s capital in Colom- people’s representative or while a bo to endorse the March 12Declaration - 2. Should not be a person proven guilty people’s representative. the selection criteria for nominating of bribery or corruption but and should candidates. be one who is acceptable to society and 7. Should be either a resident or have an NETWORK ANFREL THE AROUND FROM is person of good character. In addition, amiable relationship with the residents This document was developed through a extra care should be given if a potential of the area they represent. series of discussions with different candidate has been accused of bribery 6 stakeholders, including religious or corruption but has not been convicted. 8. Should be considered in the context leaders, members of the media, academ- of providing adequate opportunities for ics, trade unions, Election Department 3. Should not be a person who is engaging or representation of women and youth as ofﬁcials, Sri Lanka Administration has engaged in the past in trades such as candidates. Service Association, the business alcohol, drugs, gambling, casinos, and prosti- community, members of Parliament, tution that are detrimental to the wellbeing of At least 13 individuals representing 11 local government authorities, and civil the country. major political parties in Sri Lanka (UNP, society. SLFP, UPFA, JVP, JHU, TNA, EPDP, SLMC, 4. Should not be a person who is engaging USP, NSSP, and SCP) signed the agree- Political parties endorsed the criteria or has engaged in a trade which destroys ment. The set of criteria is to be included developed under PAFFREL's leadership the ecological life support system or that in the proposed code of conduct due to and agreed to take them into account causes destruction to the environment. be introduced to politicians as part of the when selecting candidates for all future 100-day program of the new government. elections. Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

electoral freedoms for contesting Annual Democracy parties and CSOs, while legitimizing partisan engagement in the and Political Irreg- electoral cycle of court officials, the ularities Reports military and national police. The continuation of human rights abuses, By the Committee for Free and in particular political and civil rights Fair Elections in Cambodia violations by the RGC were a cause for serious concern. Democratic space and In Cambodia, Democratization in 2014 is freedoms did not improve in 2014. The continued to be undermined by serious RGC security apparatus continued to use shortcomings preventing Cambodia from excessive force against protesters during moving forward towards an established demonstrations. Numerous attacks, democracy. Any positive political devel- harassment and intimidation directed opments were gradual and highly uncer- against trade unionists, journalists and tain. It remains to be seen if these chang- civil and political rights activists, including es can put the democratization process CNRP lawmakers and party members were back on the right track. reported. No measures were taken by formed CPP-led Royal Government of government to constrain security forces The dispute over the 2013 national Cambodia (RGC). The executive contin- from using excessive force against election results and the following politi- ued to lack transparency and account- protesters. cal crisis once again paralyzed the ability. In particular, no genuine judicial democratization process in 2014. The reforms have been undertaken to The establishment of a new National freedom of peaceful assembly was put on safeguard its independence. The judicia- Election Committee will be decided by hold. Only one year after the 2013 ry remains a partisan body and the weak the bi-partisan National Assembly. It will national election was an agreement link in the governance system. adopt 24 provisions of the draft law on reached between opposition and govern- Organization and Functioning of the ment to end the political crisis. This The bi-partisan creation of the CPP-CNRP NEC. Fifteen provisions are viewed as paved the way for a reform process Joint Commission for Electoral positive or could be considered as a allowing cautious optimism for some Reform seemed like a positive step in the better than the old LEMNA, while nine democratic progress. However, the nego- direction of electoral reform, but the provisions are seen as negative, uncer- tiation process often came close to process had not been transparent and tain or worse than the previous LEMNA. stalling over details related to electoral inclusive. Reform of the composition of and legislative reforms and the lack of the National Election Committee (NEC) The report on Cambodia’s state of public participation. was approved by CNRP and CPP lawmak- democracy in 2014 is based on findings ers, and included constitutional amend- of COMFREL’s Advocacy and Monitoring By the end of 2014 it was uncertain just ments. Major reform proposals negotiat- Units ‘Government Watch’, ‘Parliamenta- NETWORK ANFREL THE AROUND FROM how far reaching election and legislative ed in 2014 included a draft ‘Law on the ry Watch’, ‘Media Watch’, ‘Election reforms would be. Negotiations over Organization and Functioning of t h e Watch’, ‘Gender Watch’, the ‘Access to electoral and legislative reforms were NEC’, revisions of the current ‘Law on the Information NGO Working Group’ and 7 moved forward to 2015. Elections of Members of the National the Election Reform Alliance (ERA). COM- Assembly’ (LEMNA), i n c l u d i n g FREL also adopts a mix of qualitative and Democratic governance appeared to reform of the voter registration system. A quantitative research methods. COM- improve after the July agreement. Legis- draft law on the new NEC has FREL developed a qualitative roster of lative reforms strengthened the principle been finalized. Negotiations for revisions democracy indicators to answer relevant of separation of powers. The legislative of the LEMNA continued in 2015. questions in 2014.. The report analyses gained in power demonstrating the the powers, performances and reforms prospect for improved performance. Notwithstanding these promising new of the legislative, judiciary and executive. Nonetheless, in the first half of 2014 the laws, it was highly uncertain if negotia- Particular attention is given to the politi- opposition, represented by the Cambo- tions of the envisaged election reforms cal process that ended the post-election dia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was would lead to an overall improvement of political crisis. not involved in the process thus limiting the election process. The new LEMNA the performance of the legislative and included, changes to voter registration Full copy of the report can be download- executive. The absence of the opposition and restriction of the election ed at: http://www.comfrel.org/eng/ called into question the legitimacy of campaign. Of great concern, it was the the law-making process and the newly inclusion of restrictions on Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

a responsive, scalable online database of applications within 24 hours. The event Exploring Open electoral data, making it possible to resulted in a high level of interest develop applications that can deliver among developers. At least 485 applica Data Approach to important election information to tion keys were registered for API, trans- millions of Indonesians via mobile or lating to the same number of developers Innovative Voter web services. The database contains an or developer groups showing interest in extensive collection of election-related developing election related applications. Engagement information like candidate backgrounds, The event successfully published 44 Contributed by: Perkumpulan political party details, aggregated news Apps after the Hackathon, and these Untuk Pemilu dan Demokrasi and social media feeds, election maps, apps are featured at http://pemilu- and a schedule of political events. apps.org. As for raw trafﬁc hitting the (PERLUDEM, Indonesia) API, the application has processed more Indonesia, the fourth most populated than 101 million hits from 16 million country after China, India, and the unique users. United States of America, is now able to closely monitor its electoral process A second successful Hackathon was despite the challenges it faces. The organized by PERLUDEM and The Asia creative innovations paved the way for Foundation. The event was sponsored people to not only monitor the elections by Google and it showcased that API but also develop voter engagement and Pemilu can lead to a new level of active civic education. These efforts public-private partnership. As a result of stemmed from the great number of API Pemilu, Indonesia’s General The election process in Indonesia went social media users and high interest to Elections Commission (KPU) also through signiﬁcant changes and use Information Communication Tech- launched its own API for the legislative improvements in 2014. Experts pointed nology (ICT) to support the government elections. out that the 2014 legislative and presi- in holding free and fair elections. dential elections were the most competi- These innovations will continue to

tive yet the most exciting elections to API allows anyone to build and distrib- expand. A series of local elections will NETWORK ANFREL THE AROUND FROM happen in Indonesia’s history. The 2014 ute a custom application that can take place in 2015. It is anticipated that elections also introduced innovations to request information from a database. a humungous amount of election data make the electoral process closer to the This allows developers and IT Program- and information will be transmitted and 8 people. mers to have access to data or to updated on a daily basis. Looking at this request speciﬁc data. evolving trend, PERLUDEM, through its One of the successful innovations was API Pemilu Program, will continue to the introduction of API Pemilu (Applica- One of the major successes of the introduce initiatives to support the tion Programming Interface), the use of program was the holding of Hackathon election commission in achieving technology in voter information. API Pemilu, an event where software successful elections with high levels of PERLUDEM (Association for Election and developers and programmers competed public participation and voter engage- Democracy), one of ANFREL’s members to create software projects in a limited ment to help the Indonesian voters in Indonesia, created the ﬁrst-ever Indo- time. Almost 500 developers participat- make informed choices when selecting nesia election database using API. API is ed. They were asked to develop election their leaders. Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

South Korean Civil Society Urges the Special Committee on Political Reform to Reform the Election System Contributed by: People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSP), South Korea

The Center for National Assembly Watch Increase the number of seats allocated Demarcation Committee, which is of People's Solidarity for Participatory by proportional representation to composed of external experts, submits a Democracy (PSPD) has supported politi- reflect voices of various groups and bill on constituency demarcation to the cal reform movements by monitoring preferences of voters. National Assembly, which only needs to and evaluating activities of the members "respect" the constituency demarcation of the National Assembly, urging The current electoral system in South bill. Thus, currently, the constituency reforms to the political system and Korea distorts the allocation of parlia- demarcation bill submitted to the organizing voter campaigns during mentary seats and does not fully reflect National Assembly isnot legally binding, elections. The center has filed a consti- voter preferences, especially those of andas a result, the National Assembly tutional complaint with the Constitu- minorities and various vocational has been distorting the constituency tional Court asserting that the current groups. Therefore, it is urgent to push demarcation proposed by the Commit- electoral system infringes electoral through constituency demarcation tee in favor of their interests. Given that rights by failing to lower the voting age reforms and to raise the number of both the ruling and the opposition and restricting voter campaigns. More- seats allocated by proportional repre- parties have recently promised to over, the center has provided compre- sentation. Nevertheless, certain voices increase the authority of the Constitu- hensive political reform bills, filed among politicians even claim the ency Demarcation Committee and to petitions with the National Assembly, number of proportional seats should be allow its independent operation, the bill NETWORK ANFREL THE AROUND FROM and launched nationwide campaigns to lowered to maintain the number of seats on reforming the Constituency Demar- push through these reforms. for their local districts. The Special cation Committee should be passed Committee on Political Reform should without delay. 9 On 3 March 2015, the National Assem- discuss electoral reform in ways that bly of South Korea passed a resolution resolve not only regionalism but also Guarantee the fundamental political to form a Special Committee on Political underrepresentation of various voca- rights of voters Reform to discuss ways to improve the tional groups, sexual minorities, immi- political system including plans for grants and women. The current Public Official Election Act demarcating constituency. The civil restricts voters' rights to freedom of society, which has insisted during the Reform the current Constituency opinion and expression by stipulating a past few years on increasing the Demarcation Committee, which only is vague standard of "defamation" and number of seats of proportional repre- an advisory body to a permanent and applies comprehensive regulations to sentation and on guaranteeing voters' independent committee offline election campaigns. The National freedom of expression, held a press Assembly should revise the Public conference to deliver its demands to the In order to ensure fair constituency Official Election Act so as to guarantee Special Committee on Political Reform. demarcating, it is required to change the voters' rights to freedom of opinion and Its major demands are as follows: system in which the Constituency expression. In addition, voters who

continuous >> Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

voluntarily organize political associa- opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, tions are currently restricted by rules won 50.9%. However, Barisan Nasional containing excessive requirements to still held on to power with 60% of the establish a political party and allowing seats in Parliament. The average only nationwide parties. Grassroots number of voters in constituencies won parties should be allowed in order to by Pakatan Rakyat was 77,655, but for prevent the monopoly of a particular Barisan Nasional it was just 46,510. political party in certain areas. It is required that the Special Committee on Electoral boundaries also appear to Political Reform collects opinions of civil criss-cross through towns and villages, society and holdresponsible discussions ignoring local community ties. In fact, on this matter. there are a number of cases where houses are split into two different Lastly, it must be noted that the discus- constituencies; husbands and wives with sions on political reform should not the same address vote for different hinge on the interests of members of BERSIH 2.0: Members of Parliament. the National Assembly from local constituencies and the major political Malaysia’s Fight for The former Election Commission chair- parties. Selection of members of the person admitted after he left the National Assembly representing the Electoral Reforms position that the previous re-delineation voters' voices and enactment of elector- exercises “ensured Malays remained in al reforms regarding the right to vote Contributed by: power.” BERSIH 2.0 is determined to are issues not only for politicians but Ms. Zoe Randhawa, Advocacy ensure the upcoming re-delineation also for all voters. South Korean civil and Education Ofﬁcer, BERSIH exercise follows the Constitution and society organizations demanded the 2.0 Secretariat ensures fair constituency boundaries National Assembly, the institution for all voters. representing the will of the people, The Coalition for Clean and Fair initiate political reforms through Elections (BERSIH) was established in The Electoral Roll pan-national discussions and prepara- 2007 and was revised into a civil In 2001, there was a High Court ruling tion of plans to accomplish reform. society-led initiative in 2010 (BERSIH that the electoral roll used for a constit- 2.0). The aim was and still is to reform uency was ‘illegal’. In fact, the court Malaysia’s corrupted and failing elector- found: “The instances of non-citizens al system into one that could be seen to and phantom voters in the electoral roll be free and fair. as disclosed in this trial may be the tip of the iceberg. It could not be denied that BERSIH 2.0 has galvanized the public, the registration of voters in the Likas FROM AROUND THE ANFREL NETWORK ANFREL THE AROUND FROM creating a mass movement demanding electoral roll was in contravention of the electoral change, resulting in a Parlia- law.” mentary Select Committee on Electoral 10 Reform. However, concrete changes After this ruling, the Malaysian Parlia- have not materialized. Recently, an ment amended the Elections Act to Electoral Integrity Project report, which prevent the electoral roll being Instituting Electoral included 127 countries, ranked Malaysia challenged in any court. Even as recent- worst in the world for electoral district ly as last year, a Royal Commission of boundaries and 125th out of 127 for Inquiry found that there are non-citi- Reforms to make electoral laws. As such, BERSIH 2.0 has zens on the electoral roll in Malaysia. been focusing on the upcoming re-de- democracy more lineation of constituency boundaries, as Despite the Malaysian Electoral Roll well as cleaning up the electoral roll. Analysis Project continuously ﬁnding and publicizing discrepancies in the roll, inclusive Electoral Boundaries forcing a thorough clean-up of the roll In the 2013 General Election, the by the Electoral Commission remains an Barisan Nasional coalition government ongoing challenge. won 46.5% of the popular vote while the Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

such information; and the drawing of Some might contend that including conclusions about the character of provisions for international observers in electoral processes,” as well as the provi- electoral and recall legislation is inviting sion of a report on any problems or interference from foreign powers. shortcomings observed during the course of the election. This is absolutely not the case, as any international observation group The commission has long been a compiles an “electoral observer hand- member of international election orga- book” reflecting the historical, cultural, nizations, such as the Association of political and economic factors of the Asian Election Authorities, but in terms nation in question — as well as other of reforming Taiwan’s electoral system, factors, such as that nation’s civic election laws, administrative procedures Monitoring Polls, society and political parties. and other supporting measures, it falls short of other Asian nations, such as Way of Improving From national assembly elections and South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines Democracy constituent assembly elections to plebi- and Mongolia. scites on independence and state Contributed by: elections around the world, polls are In response to demands from civic monitored by international observers groups to amend electoral legislation to Dr. Chen Chien-Fu from the Carter Center in the US, the allow international observers in, as Standing Director, Citizens Con- European Parliament and the Asia happens in these other association gress Watch(CCW) Network for Free Elections. member nations, the commission has Chairperson, Taiwan Network for said that it has never prohibited interna- Free Elections (TANFREL) tional observers from coming to monitor Translation by: Mr. Paul Cooper elections, and has tried to use the International observers excuse that — due to the international situation — Taiwan is unable to sign must follow the 2005 UN either the declaration of principles or Even though legislation covering the code of conduct. elections and recalls does not specifical- Declaration of Principles ly state whether international observer for International Election It has even, on occasion, resorted to groups are allowed to monitor elections saying that it “does not have the funds,” in Taiwan, a large budget has been Observation and Code of to do so, and that all it can do is to invite allocated for two or three Taiwanese these association observer groups in NETWORK ANFREL THE AROUND FROM monitors to be present at every polling Conduct for International their official capacity to come to monitor station. the elections. Election Observers when 11 While — on the face of it — this is to carrying out their work In the electoral and recall legislation, the prevent electoral fraud, it is really done problem with including provisions for just so that political parties can confirm international observers lies not in the ballot results. supposed lack of funds, but in the including: “the systematic, comprehen- fundamental disregard of the core This opens the Central Election Commis- sive and accurate gathering of informa- functions of elections by those in sion to suspicions from non-governmen- tion concerning the laws, processes and charge, namely, that ballots are free, tal organizations that it is overstepping institutions related to the conduct of comprehensive, open, fair and some- the boundaries of neutrality that it elections and other factors concerning times — when needed — operate as a should observe in its implementation of the overall electoral environment; the mechanism for a peaceful transition of electoral and recall legislation. impartial and professional analysis of political power. Volume 2 No.1 January – March 2015

THE ANFREL E-BULLETIN ANFREL E-bulletin is ANFREL’s quarterly publication issued as part of the Asian Republic of Electoral Resource Center (AERC) program. Each E-bulletin includes Kazakhstan relevant and important updates regard- Presidential Elections ing Asian electoral developments.

April 26, 2015 We encourage ANFREL members and friends contribute articles to the e-bulle- Early presidential elections in the tin. For questions, suggestions, or inqui- Republic of Kazakhstan will be held on ries, you may send us an e-mail at e-bul- 26 April 2015, one year ahead from its [email protected]. original schedule. This move was unani- mously voted by the c o u n t r y ’ s People’s Assembly in February 2015. The decision was based on the belief ABOUT ANFREL that holding the elections earlier The Asia Network for Free Elections would help the development of the (ANFREL) was established in 1997 as country and that it is a disadvantage Asia’s ﬁrst regional network of civil to hold both presidential and parliamen- society organizations focused on tary elections in the same year. elections and election monitoring. It strives to promote and support democratization at national and regional levels in Asia. Republic of Turkey ANFREL is supported by a number of Election for Grand national organizations from Afghani- stan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, National Assembly Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri June 7, 2015 Lanka, Timor-Leste, and Thailand.

Upcoming ElectionsUpcoming Asia in he general elections in Turkey will be For more information you may visit About ANFREL held on the 7th of June to elect the 550 http://www.anfrel.org embers of its Grand National Assembly. It will be the 24th general elections in 12 the Republic of Turkey. Elected members will form the 25th Parliament of Turkey.

Source: ElectionGuide (www.electionguide.org) Asian Network for Free Elections 105 Sutthisarnwinnichai Rd, Huayk- wang, Samsennok, Bangkok 10310 Thailand

PHONE : (+66) 2-277-3627 FAX : (+66) 2-276-2183 E-MAIL : [email protected]