AESF-IV 4th Asian electoral stakeholders forum concluded in Sri Lanka Theme. Details

AESF-IV: 4th Asian electoral stakeholders forum concluded in Colombo, Sri Lanka: Theme, Details, Highlights

The fourth edition of Asian electoral stakeholders forum (AESF-IV) was held Colombo, Sri Lanka to discuss the state of elections and democracy in the region.

This was for the first time AESF was held in South Asia. It was jointly organised by Election Commission of Sri Lanka and Asian network for free elections (ANFREL). It held on 27th & 28th August 2018.

The theme of AESF-IV was ‘Advancing Election Transparency and Integrity: Promoting and Defending Democracy Together‘.

The AESF-IV forum was attended by more than 250 delegates from 45 countries. India was represented by Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra Ashwini Kumar and NGO.

The AESF-IV forum covered a wide array of crucial election issues like the current state of democracy in Asia, common electoral challenges in the region, and various good practices employed to make elections better.

The AESF-IV forum culminated with the endorsement of the landmark document, urging election stakeholders from within Asia and beyond to promote and defend democracy in the region.

About Asian electoral stakeholders forum (AESF)

ASEF is the largest gathering of election management bodies (EMBs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Asia. It is being held in order to secure the broad establishment of democracy and security when holding elections within the region.

ASEF provides an opportunity for Asian election commissions, election observers, non-government organizations (NGOs) and interstate bodies to gather and discuss the state of elections and democracy in the region. It also provides a platform for institutionalizing capacity building efforts to pave the way for more meaningful and credible election through cooperation among stakeholders.