The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has deployed 10 long term observers across the Philippines on Friday with just 10 days to go before Eleksyon 2025.
In a statement, ANFREL said that one observer will be assigned in each of the country’s 10 regions covering 24 provinces and 32 cities and municipalities.
“The long term observers will ensure regional coverage, providing continuous observation of the electoral process, including the campaign period, election day operations, and post-election developments,” ANFREL said.
Prior to the deployment of the observers, ANFREL said it organized a two-day briefing workshop to equip observers with the tools, methodologies, and context needed to carry out their duties in line with international election observation standards.
Sessions featured representatives from Commission on Elections, as well as election watchdogs Legal Network for Truthful Elections, National Movement for Free Elections, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the media.
“As part of ANFREL’s mission, the long term observers will assess election laws, campaign activities, media coverage, the deployment of ACMs (Automated Counting Machines) and the Random Manual Audit,” ANFREL said.
Likewise, ANFREL said the observers will be on alert for violence, disinformation, misuse of state resources, technology, and campaign finance violations, with a focus on vulnerable groups.
“Inclusivity, accessibility, and public confidence are key benchmarks, ensuring technology enhances transparency without compromising credibility,” ANFREL said.
“As an accredited International Election Observer Organization by the Comelec, ANFREL remains committed to supporting the democratization and free and fair elections in the Philippines through election observation and lobbying of electoral reforms,” it added.
The 2025 midterm polls marks ANFREL’s fifth international election observation mission in the Philippines after the 2008 Autonomous Region in Muslim in Mindanao, and the 2010, 2016 and 2022 National and Local Elections.
ANFREL’s Interim Report will be released in a press conference in Manila on May 16 or four days after the election day.
A final report will then be published much later in July.
“These reports aim to provide evidence-based recommendations to support the integrity, inclusivity, and transparency of future electoral processes in the Philippines, including the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections in October 2025,” ANFREL added.
ANFREL has 27 member organizations across 18 countries and supports civil society, media, and stakeholders in addressing electoral challenges and advancing democratization.
ANFREL has conducted 80 international election observation missions since it was founded in 1997.
—VAL, GMA Integrated News
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Asian observers deployed for Eleksyon 2025
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